Never, Never, and Becoming

A poem about longing for the imaginings of youth
By Father John R. Green

Shown with his blessing
(Return To "An Episcopal Poet")

Once on golden wings I flew,
Through friendly clouds with Pan;
Beyond time and space to a Land,
Strangely to my fantasy,
Called Never, Never!

I danced with Indians on forest's green,
And lured the hungry crocodile to Panting Hook, 	
T'was I, not Peter, who routed the pirates,
Hide and seek with Tinker Bell, boundless speed,
In Never, Never!

Wendy I left to Peter; our worlds severed here.
An age in Never Land; only temporary glee.
For in youth eternal, I never became;
And flying a greater destiny, I returned,
From Never, Never!

Sometimes in becoming, I long for Never, Never,
And search in odd places for the wings I left with Peter;
But he reminds me - I may only glimpse;
And remembering, I turn shuddering,
From Never, never!