Sestina - 1st draft - 1st & 2nd stanzas

Childhood fades to that faraway place
where blue skies frame a joyful sun
that fed the spirit and nurtured growth
of small bodies eager for the living
when laughter tinkled like crystals in the breeze
in an anthem of spontaneous expression.

We try to regain that free expression
that binds us firmly to that place
years pass as candles snuffed by the breeze
clouds moving across the face of the sun;
birthdays part of the mystery of living
notched on door frames marking our growth.