Echoes of Prehistory
A Child’s Fascination with Dinosaurs and the Passage of Time
Naturally, there are theories
about why children are so mesmerized
by dinosaurs, about how a five-year-old
can memorize those Latin names,
the prefixes and their dietary habits,
even before learning his own phone number.
—
My child effortlessly recites
the names I now struggle with,
setting up figures just as I did
long ago. Here, the curved back
of a brontosaur; there, a triceratops,
fully armored. From the armchair,
a pterodactyl oversees
the primeval expanse of carpet.
—
Each dinosaur vanishes occasionally,
only to be unearthed from beneath
a cabinet or the sofa cushions,
then reburied in the deep toy chest,
its lid closing as tightly as the earth.
Next time they're brought out to play,
another fossil has been found.
—
A tooth or an eggshell fragment
reveals new insights about their lifespan
or intelligence, whether they were warm- or cold-blooded.
On the floor, they seem to debate
the latest discovery, each figuring out
which part of their kind has been unearthed.
—
Sometimes, they line up side by side,
waiting to topple like dominoes,
my son's tennis ball the bright asteroid,
his shadow a looming dark cloud
as he stands. His passion for them cools
imperceptibly, like the slow movement of glaciers,
marking the transition from one age to the next.
About the Creator
Dr. Jason Benskin
I am a dedicated writer whose work delves into the depths of human emotion and experience with a unique voice and an eye for detail.
My goal is to craft writing that resonate with readers on a profound level.
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Engulfing Light
I have not been very successful in quieting my mind this evening. I find that as time goes by, I find myself in deeper contemplation, in regards to the purpose of my life. I can say with certainty, that thus far, I have had a life, that with all things considered, has been a well lived one.
By Kaylon Forsyth3 days ago in Humans
Comments (26)
Wonderful poem that captures the imagination of children and their fascination with dinosaurs in entertaining detail. Congratulations on a well-deserved win. 💙🌍
Amazing :) Beautifully written like a visit to the past when We were fascinated by dinosaurs and yes remembering all the names was so easy, Congratulations on such a Huge achievement First Place in a challenge !! I am so Happy for You ! truly a unique poem!
Congratulations - a well-deserved win; children have an endless capacity for learning and curiosity, and we don't need to lose that as we age. You did a wonderful job of showing how the threads between imagination and learning can be strong and enduring
Congratulations!
Wonderful analogy, trading toys for fossils. This is a well-deserved win. Congrats!
Congrats on winning the challenge!
CONGRATS! An exceptional poem that seemingly draws me into the story you're telling. Well done 😀👍🍁.
what a wonderful poem - love the ending - so good.
Thanks so much.
Congratulations 🎉👏🏿 Enjoyed a moment back in time. 💕
This reminded me so much of my own collection of dinosaurs I had as a child. thanks for reminding me. Congratulations
Congratulations 🎉👏🏻🎉👏🏻🎉👏🏻
Extraordinary! Congratulations
Wow, that is cool how you moved through the dinos and your child did also, progressing on to the next 'age.' Congratulations on the WIN!!
Congratulations!!! Loved your entry!!!
Congratulations!!
Congratulations
Congratulations on your win! 🥇 Enjoyed it immensely 🙌🥂⭐️
Congrats
Great growing up tale and wonderful poem. Congratulations on your win.
Brilliant!! Reminded me so much of my sister and my nephew 🥰 Congratulations on the super well-deserved win!! 🎊🤩❣️
Congrats on the win!! And great poem too :)
Congrats! Well done.
When I was a kid, I saw the movie Jurassic Park, which sparked a lifelong desire to meet dinosaurs. However, as I've matured, I've come to understand that encountering real dinosaurs isn't possible.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing