I Used to Know the Names of All the Stars

I used to know the names of all the stars
But now I just know a few planets
Like Jupiter, Earth and Mars
I used to know the name of every child
But that was back before I was born
Back when I was safe and warm
Back when I was flying in the sky
Now I have to go to school
And learn it all again
Get good grades
And try to remember when
I used to know the words to all the songs
Now I only know the melodies
And I just hum along
I used to know the language of the birds
The Robin and the Bluejay
I always knew what they would say
The prettiest songs that I have ever heard
Now I have to school
And learn it all again
Get good grades
And try to remember when
I used to know the names of every tree
Now they’re just a forest
In the dusk of evening
I used to see the God in everything
Now it’s just a rustlin'
A whisper that I’m trustin'
When the redbud blossoms in the spring
Now I have to sleep
And learn all again
Let my dreaming take me
To the place where it began
I used to know the names of all the stars
By Paul Reisler w/ Terri Allard and Ms. Bonthuis' 1st grade, Red Hill Elementary