The infant screamed
the scream of life
just born
not aware of the future,
not realizing the past
.
The baby cried
the cries of hunger
unfulfilled
not satisfied by mother's milk
not wanting anything else

The toddler whined
the whine of displeasure
un-noticed
not wanting to be touched
not wanting to be held

The child grew
the growth stunted
numbed
not ready to let go
not ready to grow up

The teenager lied
the lies of denial
coldness
not willing to tell the truth
not caring who she hurt

The adult shouted
the shouts of confusion
disgruntled
not knowing the future
not learning from the past.

02/05/2006

Author's Note: This poem is the first of a trilogy of poems written about my children. This one is about my oldest child. I cried when I wrote it and cry each time I read it. I love her, but...
Posted on 02/05/2006
Copyright © 2022 Joan Serratelli

09/25/2022