Misplaced Girl Understood

                                                    8.28.22

What can be told about the girl with long hair?
You must say it quietly, even if you dare
For her thoughts change quickly, never then stare
You never know if the tiny thing will scream or cry

Her parents they argue, life to them is a mess
Not like times before she came, they openly confess
Vacations, long weekends, now she gives them no rest
Put your mind to it, wonder, does she even know why?

Kindergarten certainly came with its own fear
It’s worth a thought, though her parents didn’t care
To them it was another game of truth or dare
“The teachers gets paid enough, let them do their job”

What she dreams at night must be as soft as her pillow
Sleeping with the light touching her face, yet still low
Her concerns and problems, obviously amount to zero
Breakfast waits on an empty table, not much to rob

Pretending not to notice, not wanting the attention
Her hair covers her face just like this weeks detention
But at least this moment she had the best intention
She couldn’t hide anymore, dropped off all alone

Fourth grade was a nightmare, her parents had enough
All the girls were mean, and the boys played too rough
The laughing and pushing at a girl that age, too tough
It did more than make her cry, it made her unknown

I look from the corner of my eye, aware why she’s here
She kicks her shoes off and back on many times I swear
Her head is down, eyes shut, with fingers in each ear
You’d have to know by just watching, she needed love

I had to go, moving slowly, hallway seemed longer now
Never speaking, I pretended not to see her somehow
Still I wonder what she’d say if to speak I avow
My prayers include her, that she too is heard from above