The greatest poem ever known Is one all poets have outgrown: The poetry, innate, untold, of being only four years old

The greatest poem ever known Is one all poets have outgrown: The poetry, innate, untold, of being only four years old

Christopher Morley, a renowned American journalist, novelist, and poet, once wrote, "The greatest poem ever known Is one all poets have outgrown: The poetry, innate, untold, of being only four years old." These words beautifully capture the essence of childhood innocence and wonder that often gets lost as we grow older.

Morley's poem speaks to the pure, unfiltered joy and curiosity that comes with being a young child. At four years old, children are still untouched by the complexities and hardships of the world. They see the world with fresh eyes, unburdened by preconceived notions or societal expectations. Everything is new and exciting, from the simplest pleasures like playing in the mud to the grandest adventures in their imagination.

In this state of innocence, children possess a natural poetry that is unmatched by even the most skilled wordsmiths. Their ability to see beauty in the mundane, to find wonder in the everyday, is a gift that many adults long to reclaim. As Morley suggests, this innate poetry is something that all poets strive to capture in their work, but often fall short of.

As we grow older, we become jaded by the world around us. We lose touch with the magic and wonder that once filled our hearts. We become consumed by responsibilities, worries, and fears, and we forget what it was like to see the world through the eyes of a child.

But Morley's poem serves as a reminder that we can always tap into that inner child within us. We can reconnect with that sense of wonder and awe that once defined us. We can rediscover the poetry of being only four years old, and in doing so, find a renewed sense of joy and inspiration in our lives.