Monarchs of Their Own Realm

About this poem

Noted for his pioneer work in genetic epistemology and cognitive development in young children, Swiss psychologist Jean Genet Piaget famously observed that children and play activity seem to go well together, and that children indeed learn through play, a natural act that may sometimes appear as quite destructive from an adult’s perspective. As octogenarian retired educators and grandparents of thirteen grandchildren, my wife and I are often confronted by the hustle and the bustle of our grandchildren’s creative genius. Four of our thirteen grandchildren (“the Beasley M4”) currently reside with us and, quite understandably, our house has become their creative enterprise. Observing this spectacle my wife, with a gleam in her eyes, declared to me this phrase: “Amidst the grime and dirt!” I could instantly grasp the poetry in the phrase, and shortly thereafter, began to compose this poem, which I have entitled “Monarchs of Their Own Realm.” more »