I share the back wall of my patio 

with a large and fully-functioning convent (Ursulines),

which has a popular day school for young children.

It is so wonderful to hear them outside at recess, playing.

Unrestrained exuberance, laughter, what happens to that,

where/how/why does it change?

So serious we are all, adults . . . 

How much of the seriousness is necessary,

and how much is a self-authored fiction

of our over-crowded minds?