No...

NO…..

No bubbles blowing in the air
While little fingers pop them away
No ball bouncing as jacks are picked up
There’s no hopscotch skipping for her today.

No Barbie doll dancing with Ken
As they romance the night away
No clowns to make her laugh with joy
As her birthday –unnoticed- comes and goes.

No hugs, no kisses to soothe the pain away
As skinned knees and elbows bleeds
No one to say, “I’m sorry dear”
As they wipe her tears away.

Instead a little girl begins to hide
Withdrawing within herself
She waves good-bye to her childhood years
As an adult she quickly became.

Again, no hugs, no kisses to take the pain away
As her heart feels the pain that continues
Pain from memories of her childhood years
Where no father, no mother to say they care.


Donna DeWalt
August 1, 1997