Peter Pan’s Adventures

A rhyme I wrote after reading the original work by Barrie. If you’ve never read the novel, I highly recommend it; it’s a much more nuanced view of childhood and what it means to grow up. Peter Pan lives in perpetual childhood – not just perpetual youth. Unlike the Disney movie, the book’s titular character has some serious character flaws, which stem from the same place as his greatest strengths – his eternal childhood. After reading the book, one does not envy Peter Pan or wish to regress to childhood. Rather, Barrie’s story teaches appreciation for the great aspects of childhood, patience for its weaknesses, and encourages maturity – but it also warns against mistaking cynicism as maturity.

“What place is this? I think I’ve been here before,
In a time long gone, another life, on a distant shore.
Let me think back of old lands bright and wild, of oceans dark and churning.”
With much effort, memories spark, and he cries “The world indeed is round!
For I am here where I began; I have returned without retuning!
What fun to think my origin would be where I was bound!”
Yes, he has returned, but things weren’t quite as they ought –
For Time has moved his shore, though his compass shows it not.
But before he can see the changes that have been wrought,
Time’s tide ebbs away the memories, like castles in the sand.
“Ah!” he cries, “I see my ship!” And off he goes to explore a new night’s Neverland.