I was reading through A.A. Milne's "Now We Are Six" with a granddaughter the other day. In it there's a poem called "Journey's End" and I was considering the difference between the freedoms and naivety of childhood in Milne's "Journey's End" and the anxiety we feel for our children as they mature into adults and set off in life as echoed in Harley's "Journey's End".

I re-read the lyric's of Harley's "Journey's End" and thought how poignant the words are, right now, for us as a family as we prepare the younger fledglings to leave the nest. Journey's End is a beautiful lyric which, while personal to Steve rings bells with most, if not all parents.

But here's Milne's Journey's End.

Christopher, Christopher, where are you going,
Christopher Robin?
" Just up to the top of the hill,
Upping and upping until
I am right on the top of the hill, "
Said Christopher Robin.

Christopher, Christopher, why are you going,
Christopher Robin?
There's nothing to see, so when
You've got to the top, what then?
" Just down to the bottom again, "
Said Christopher Robin.

It's a very simple poem but it made me think of the lyrics of "All The Men Are Hungry" and the line "Was in a frenzy from the midnight air when I saw the light, I realised only children can live upon a timeless flight, It made me hungry for youth......"

In conclusion I wish, in some ways, we could all be six forever and ever. (Milne wrote a poem about that too)

Maybe someone else has similar musings to share..........?

.

stewart g wrote:
I wonder what you wrote Stewart?

What I meant to say Stella was,Thanks for your great post.I think many of Steve's words have touched people over the years.The words to Journey's End were and continue to be of immense inspiration to me!

A lovely post Stella and Stewart - thanks for sharing. Journey's End has a very powerful message - clearly very personal to Steve and yet universal.

Stella I forgot that I used to read A.A. Milne's book when I was a child and you reawakened in me that sense of love, magic and awe that the British authors of children's books used to instill in me. Sort of the way I feel about Steve when I hear him live. Thank you!