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my child
by Maria Francescamy child sleeps
with more blankets than she needs
cat curled into the crook
of her knee
belly a little plump
from more ice cream
than she should have eaten today
new clothes strewn
across her feet -
the ones she'll wear
to school tomorrow.
my child sleeps
on dusty sheets
flies settling
in the corners of her eyes
belly a little round
and full of emptiness
clothes hung neatly
on a peg -
the ones she wore today
and will wear in the morning.
my child
looks forward to tomorrow
with a mixture
of hope and dread:
visions of homework
and concern over whether
she'll be asked to the prom
and what she'll be when she grows up.
my child looks forward to tomorrow
with a mixture
of hope and dread:
maybe there will be school
maybe there will be medicine
maybe there will be food
maybe there will not.
my child is thriving.
my child is starving.
and how am I to sleep
tonight? 03/03/2008 Author's Note: *
Posted on 03/03/2008
Copyright © 2025 Maria Francesca
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Jennifer Ragan on 03/03/08 at 03:34 PM I wish I knew. A very thoughtful write |
| Posted by George Hoerner on 03/03/08 at 03:57 PM I believe any child is everyone's child and it is hard to sleep knowing so many of our children, the world's children, live in such fearfulness and despair. Really nice write. |
| Posted by Rhiannon Jones on 03/04/08 at 01:26 PM Poignant expression of an important message...I'm following Barbara's lead and putting it on my 'fridge...and my office door. |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 04/01/10 at 03:21 PM An absolutely beautiful write. I'm a real "softie" when it comes to babies (I collect baby dolls). The image of a sleeping child and a Mother's worries is real. Every Mother questions herself. Great read- thanks! |
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