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Haunted

I will never ever forget
that haunted look 
in her huge blue eyes

She was only four years old ...
an innocent child
who witnessed her beloved daddy 
fall to the floor and die

After the trauma of his death
she never spoke another word  

Written for Haunted Contest
Sponsored by Tania Kitchin

Sadly this a true story of a little girl called Jacqueline who attended the pre-school I worked in, even after all these years I have never forgotten the haunted look in her eyes.

9/26/19

Copyright © Jan Allison | Year Posted 2019

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Carolyn Devonshire Date: 9/30/2019 9:49:00 AM It must have been awful for this young girl to see her father die, Jan. Such trauma could produce PTSD that lasts a lifetime. How sad that she never spoke again. A poem that tugs on the heart strings and a fave for me. Best wishes in Tania's contest. Hugs, Carolyn Login to Reply

Lindsay Laurie Date: 9/28/2019 11:07:00 PM G'day Jan … experiences as you witnessed will never leave you. I can imagine this one haunting you - thank you Jan - Lindsay Login to Reply

Constance La France Date: 9/28/2019 1:52:00 PM Jan, witnessing death at an early age is traumatic, I know this because it happened to me, great poem and congratulations on your win in the contest @ Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/29/2019 3:30:00 AM I think your sad poems inspire me to write out of my comfort zone:-) hugs Jan xx

Tania Kitchin Date: 9/28/2019 12:11:00 PM Jan, congratulations on your winning placement with your hauntingly sad poem! :) Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/29/2019 3:29:00 AM Thanks so much Tania:-) hugs Jan xx

Sandra Adams Date: 9/28/2019 6:40:00 AM This one grabs the heart strings and tugs ... one can only imagine what went on in her young mind. Great penning! :) hugs Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/28/2019 8:03:00 AM The memory of her face will always be with me, she is the second child I met who was an elective mute, the second girl I met at when she was at college but she did have a boyfriend who was able to interpret what she wanted to do, it was so lovely to see them together. If anyone could get her talking it would be him he is the son of a friend of mine, he also has special needs and is a lovely young man!:-) hugs Jan xx

Jack Horne Date: 9/27/2019 8:58:00 AM oh, such a sad but powerful write here, my friend Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/27/2019 10:25:00 AM Thanks Jack I never know where my muse will take me, I prefer to write fun poems but I will never forget this particular little girl.:-) hugs jan xx

Rico Leffanta Date: 9/26/2019 6:37:00 PM So sad that so many people have responded to your poem when Trump and his minions are depriving children of their parents EVERY DAY, yet Americans seem to believe a Vanity Wall will stop the cruelty. Your girl may indeed forget the root cause of her affliction, but soul scars last for eternity. Aloha! Rico Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/27/2019 1:52:00 AM The scars must run deep for all these children... you should write a serious poem about it Rico. Thanks for commenting:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich Date: 9/26/2019 6:02:00 PM gosh, that is so sad, Jan. You caughted that haunted feeling! Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 6:11:00 PM Thanks Andrea:-) I think this one proves that I can write the odd serious poem!:-) hugs Jan xx

Paul Callus Date: 9/26/2019 5:15:00 PM Your take on the 'haunted' theme is much different from what one usually would think of, Jan; nothing to do with ghosts, but more creative. Being inspired by a true story makes it appeal more to emotions. Hugs // paul Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 5:19:00 PM Thanks Paul I had to dig deep for this one as it is a very emotional poem for me. I hope Tania likes my take on the haunted theme:-) hugs Jan xx

Gershon Wolf Date: 9/26/2019 1:24:00 PM This is real 'haunted,' not fake Halloween stuff. A Holocaust of unimaginable proportion for that tender four-year-old. Very hard to move past something like that. A moving and STUNNING write, Jan. I like that you didn't embellish it / No frills. Stark. Best wishes, Gershon Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 1:35:00 PM Thanks Gershon, I had considered writing more lines but i think it would detract from the impact of the sad story. I often think of this little girl and wonder what happened to her:-( hugs jan xx

Heidi Sands Date: 9/26/2019 10:40:00 AM So heartbreaking Jan. I can only imagine! Well done :) Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 12:14:00 PM Thanks Heidi:-) hugs Jan xx

Ralph Sergi Date: 9/26/2019 8:57:00 AM A very poignant but stirring poem, Jan. Hopefully ,in time someone will aid her to have faith in the future to accept what must be...Ralph Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 12:13:00 PM Thanks Ralph, I wonder what happened to her and if she ever regained the power of speech. I can still see her pale face and haunted eyes:-( hugs Jan xx

Chris Green Date: 9/26/2019 8:25:00 AM This is sad my friend, how things like this can haunt a child for the rest of their life. Best wishes in the contest Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 12:13:00 PM I often wonder if she ever spoke, it is many many years ago and all I can remember is her first name so it would be hard to trace her :-( hugs Jan xx

Arturo Michael Date: 9/26/2019 8:24:00 AM The way this was going...it could have gone on a bit longer...Enjoyed it... Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 12:11:00 PM I did toy with writing more, maybe I will one day but it was hard to write and made me emotional writing just a few lines:-( hugs jan xx

Winged Warrior Date: 9/26/2019 8:17:00 AM A little girl should never have to lose her daddy...sad emotive write Jan...prayers for the girl...^WW^ :o) Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 12:11:00 PM It is a heartbreaking thing to happen to such a little girl ^WW^:-( hugs Jan xx

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 9/26/2019 8:12:00 AM Wow. Impacting write. Chilling truth. Hugs xomo Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 12:10:00 PM Thanks Mo:-) hugs Jan xx

Regina Mcintosh Date: 9/26/2019 7:43:00 AM This is so heartbreaking - It touched the depths of my spirit. I think it should definitely be number one in the contest, Jan. Such a moving poem and story. Bless you Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 12:10:00 PM Thanks Regina, even though it is many many years since I saw her I can close my eyes and still see her pale face, it was truly heart breaking for her to witness the death of her daddy:-( hugs Jan xx

Caren Krutsinger Date: 9/26/2019 7:22:00 AM I have had experience with a five year old who was a selective mute, same kinds of reason. This brought her back into the forefront of my mind along with her eyes and her name. Login to Reply Jan Allison Date: 9/26/2019 7:29:00 AM I was only 16 at the time Caren and it is something I have never ever forgotten:-( hugs jan xx