The New Forest Child by Philip Burton
Where is the forest where children play?
the new child gasped. Is it out back?
Do you grow moss, blueberry, bay?
Are there buckets and spades for needles,
cones, acorns chips of bark?
In the summer weeks of Stag beetles
do kids stay and watch till dark?
Why have you put your forest away?
Please get it out. It’s for children’s play.
Oh no, we are terribly modern.
Hardstanding and gravel yards are bare
to ensure that each child stays within vision,
is clean, and learns not to care.
Comments
Forest School ethos from Sweden tries to 'reform' thinking.
but fear for safety and a need for control seem to dominate.