DM Babbit | + Follow Poet |
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Family No More

I watch the reunion stories, and this is somewhat one,
   fifty- six years late,
   the tear filled reunions and encounters portrayed, 
   sadly; they just turn my mind and heart away. 
I can't change the feeling of emptiness,
    lingering without any longing or need in my soul 
    to see again those few memories,  
    those years lost long ago.
Four year old, tall and built 
    with subtle vulnerabilities,
    held a three year old sister's hand  
    and pushed a younger brother in a carriage.
A young disillusioned mother stood silent watching
    distanced in her thoughts desiring to be set free
    the bond of love and children 
    often falters without marriage.
Three children and another on the way was far too taxing
    not enough for him or her to stay
    and in her lonely inconsolable hours,
    perhaps her choice was best in giving all away.
He returned briefly 
    and together they slipped out together in early morning,    
    the car they drove took the path to an orphanage
    from there, they moved separate but quickly down the road 
Each child was kissed 
    with a short hurried goodbye
    and suddenly these four children 
    found themselves alone and cried.
The story never reached the papers, 
    never made the news
    the children, they survived
    with his name marked upon their shoes.
Paternal grandmother stepped forward
    but by then, only the oldest remained,
    she took her home without a question
    and the truth became the secret never told.
Years passed and each child must have gone their way,
    disappearing in the multitude of crowds
    and until this day, 
    the secret had never been betrayed.
The oldest child knew it,
    and over the years, 
    the father alone returned
    but truly the family was no more.
It's not a happy story nor is it really sad
    I hear each one found and has some family;
    and boys grow to men and girls  to women
    but not all are meant to be a mom or a dad.
If you're looking for a reunited happy ending
    you may find it still hidden somewhere else.
    as for me and my closing story, 
    there lives that memory of grandmother and myself.

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