| Shadows on the wall Noises down the hall Life doesn't frighten me at all Bad dogs barking loud Big ghosts in a cloud Life doesn't frighten me at all Mean old Mother Goose Lions on the loose They don't frighten me at all Dragons breathing flame On my counterpane That doesn't frighten me at all. I go boo Make them shoo I make fun Way they run I won't cry So they fly I just smile They go wild Life doesn't frighten me at all. Tough guys fight All alone at night Life doesn't frighten me at all. Panthers in the park Strangers in the dark No, they don't frighten me at all. | That new classroom where boys all pull my hair (Kissy little girls with their hair in curls) They don't frighten me at all. Don't show me frogs and snakes And listen for my scream, If I'm afraid at all It's only in my dreams. I've got a magic charm That I keep up my sleeve I can walk the ocean floor And never have to breathe. Life doesn't frighten me at all Not at all. Not at all. Life doesn't frighten me at all.  Mosaic. The Hermitage State Museum, St-Petersburg |
Maya Angelou’s verses resonated deeply with my learning partners this week in a creative writing workshop I crafted around Universal Children’s Day (November 20th). Words come short to describe the depth of Maya Angelou’s life and the legacy of her work. An inspiration to many, a heroine of our times, taught us lessons of fortitude, liberation and art. The Southern cadence of her voice and the powerful message of her lyrics captivated this young Russian audience newly acquainted with Angelou’s extraordinary poetic soul. Poetry dialogued with children’s rights in challenging, sensitive conversations that culminated with I wish writing reflection, and a renewed awareness for responsible action. I wanted to share some words from our learning circle:
 Eternal Flame. Revolutionary Memorial, Field of Mars | I wish… “all children translate their dreams into reality.” “children find their place in the world.” “children will take positive sides of their fears; it will make them stronger, wiser and more ready for the difficulties of our world.” |
| “all children in the world were considered as flowers that should be kept delicately, so that no one would have even the smallest think to impede their innocence.” “all children would be brought up in a peaceful world without wars and free of fear.” “all children on Earth will have parents, food, health, toys and happy childhood.” “all the children played chess.” |  Student Street Art. Lesnoy Terrace, a view from my window |
…and a final wish for us, adults, accountable for nurturing respectful relationships with ourselves and the world around us, relationships that matter:
Never let that child in you be afraid of playing. Never let that child in you stop being daring. Don’t let anybody tell you: ‘you are failing’. Walls are for drawing, not for fencing. Childhood flames subsiding, daunting adulthood shading; child, don’t hide, don’t tame your bravery. The world is running, racing fiercely; you bike along the seawall, don’t rush your journey. Keep on sketching your life with your color pencils. Walls are for drawing, not for fencing.
Never let that child in you be afraid of playing. Never let that child in you stop being daring. Don’t let anybody tell you: ‘you are failing’. Walls are for drawing, not for fencing. Childhood flames subsiding, daunting adulthood shading; child, don’t hide, don’t tame your bravery. The world is running, racing fiercely; you bike along the seawall, don’t rush your journey. Keep on sketching your life with your color pencils. Walls are for drawing, not for fencing.
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