Yesterday a child came out to wonder

I used to sing Joni Mitchell’s song, The Circle Game, to my young children a lot, a whole lot, as they either whaled in protest or plugged their ears. Those were the days before their legs could carry them to safer ground. Today, in my now empty nest, I am singing it loudly and dedicating it to a sweet baby girl born yesterday. I was her moms doula. I was awed and inspired afresh, humbled to be in the presence of such a powerful love. Love expressed in this moms pure effort as she birthed her daughter and this fathers pure delight and exuberance as he cheered his partner on! Welcome to the world JJ.

Take a listen or sing along! https://youtu.be/vRa6Ta2tw_M

You can find the lyrics and more here: http://jonimitchell.com/music/song.cfm?id=39

The Circle Game

Yesterday a child came out to wonder Caught a dragonfly inside a jar Fearful when the sky was full of thunder And tearful at the falling of a star

Then the child moved ten times round the seasons Skated over ten clear frozen streams Words like when you're older must appease him And promises of someday make his dreams

And the seasons they go round and round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We can't return we can only look Behind from where we came And go round and round and round In the circle game *

Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town And they tell him take your time it won't be long now Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down

And the seasons they go round and round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We can't return we can only look Behind from where we came And go round and round and round In the circle game

So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true There'll be new dreams maybe better dreams and plenty Before the last revolving year is through

And the seasons they go round and round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We can't return we can only look Behind from where we came And go round and round and round In the circle game