Hope for my Child

by Stephanie De los Santos

---

A child -

lost innocence,

Dreams crushed

Hopes scattered

like seeds in a seemingly barren field.
Some will die,

remain buried deep.

Others will hide

below the surface

waiting for the warmth

of the sun,

the refreshment of the rains.

They will be reborn,

even blossom

in time.

Purpose will prevail,

though it alludes her now.

Yet, I dream of her.

The child I hope for

hopes not for me,

agonizes at the thought

of my home,

would rather be

alone.

Yet, I hope for her.

This child

resents the intrusion

into her life,

angers

at the disruption

of her world,

yearns for love,

but not from me.

Yet, I love her still.

My child

feels abandoned,

isolated,

out of place.

She hears others laugh,

wonders where

she left her joy,

her smile.

Yet, I welcome her,

yearn for her,

feel blessed

to call her mine.

     

My daughter,

   not yet mine,

will be forced

from her home

by a stranger.

She is struggling now

to concentrate in class

because she is hungry,

insecure,

angry.

None of this

is her fault,

though she feels

she is to blame.

She is angry,

but she can’t

tell you why.

She is bruised,

but she won’t,

tell you how.

She cries,

but no one sees 

her tears.

Copyright © 2015 by Stephanie De los Santos