By James McGuire Illustrated by Nancy Nicol
By James McGuire Illustrated by Nancy Nicol
For Emma, Jack, and Owen. And all the children who continue to help us learn and question. - James McGuire
For Margot, learning from my daugther every day. -Nancy Nicol
There once was a girl Nearly 3 feet high and all that she said was Why? Why? Why?
She said it at breakfast before she ate She said it to her mom When mom said “We’re late!” She said it to her teacher When she was at school She said it most often When the teacher gave a rule. She said it at lunchtime, As the sun rose in the sky. Every other word she spoke was Why? Why? Why?
Why Why Why Why
do I have to? can’t you? is the sun yellow? is the sky blue?
Why Why Why Why
does the Night come? do stars shine? does the moon smile? is that not mine?
Why must I do this? Why do we eat greens?
Why can’t I eat those red jelly beans?
Why do we sing? Why can’t I hum? Why can’t I have a cookie for my tummy tum tum?
Why Why Why Why
must I wear it? is it cold? can’t you stay young? do you grow old?
She said it to her daddy each and every day. She said it to others in the most serious way. She said it to her playmates in the late afternoon. She said it to the stars and to the man in the moon.
All the day long She expressed the view When life is young And words are new The favorite word That children knew
Who were nearly three feet high, And just a littl shy Was Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Echo All the day long She expressed the view When life was young And words were new The favorite word That children knew To make some sense as the world passed by For children nearly three feet high And by nature a little shy (the word she clearly liked the best and never let it rest) Was Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Jim McGuire is a psychiatrist treating both children and adults. He grew up in New England and has since lived many places with his family practicing his profession, including three years in Africa when he was a Regional Medical OfďŹ cer with the Peace Corps. He believes in the power and necessity of sharing our individual stories.
Photo: Bob Tucker
Nancy Nicol, friend and colleague of the author, is an oil painter and sculptor represented by Viridian Gallery, NYC, Burdick Gallery, Welleet, MA, and Expedition Whydah Museum, Provincetown, MA. Online: nancynicolart.com
Peepers Press 2020 Book design by Nina Spaziani Online: web.ninapatina.com
SAMPLE