Childhood innocence is when
dandelions are plucked from a
field, a gift chosen for mum.
Their beaming eyes and a smile
which light their face. You are the
reason they stopped their play.
Childhood innocence saw beauty
in what you considered weeds.
Happiness as bright as the petal.
Sad, I watch on the sidelines with no
dandelions left for me to pick. The
seed heads, all that was left behind.
I think of my future, what do I ask?
I blow the dandelion seed, wishing
for a child – full of joyful innocence.
The seeds blow in the wind, hoping
it’s heard by the angels above, gifting
the same joy that the dandelions bring.
“Adults always see things in black and white. Childhood innocence is able to see so much more. Dandelions bring children so much joy in its varied forms – either because it’s a vibrant yellow flower that they want to give to mum, or to make a wish from the dandelion head. Many adults just see weeds. I wanted to use the hope children have as almost a last resort approach for a woman who really wanted a child of her own. “
Joanne Macias is a multi-disciplinary creative, featured in Living Stories, Best of Times, The Sour Collective, Two Wolves Digest, Short Stories Unlimited, Roi Fainéant plus many more. She loves finding interesting ways to challenge reader perception through unique scenarios. She embarks on her first residency in Ireland in 2025.