Ann Peck Poet Couplet

Reaching

Unwanted by parents, love never shown;
     Torn from her siblings and everything known.
Put into a system at the age of three;
     hope and rejection, each learned by degree.
Eighteen and alone, told she must now fly;
     she wasn't shown how to reach for the sky.

November 8, 2021
Bite Size Poem No. 26 Contest
By Line Gauthier
Honorable Mention


There are approximately 1.5 million children in the U.S. abandoned each year. 
Approximately 2,018 are abused or neglected each day. They're torn from siblings, friends, schools, lives, placed into the system, and tossed from family to family.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Susan Ashley November 26, 2021 at 12:07 PM Dear Ann, your compassionate pen spills a scene filled with poignancy. Emotionally moving, your metaphorical expression reaches deeply into one's heart with its sad but true poetic beauty. Congratulations on your fine win in Line's contest and kudos for bringing this plight to light with such exquisite artistry. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Ann Peck November 26, 2021 at 2:04 PM Dear Susan, Your lyrical words are so beautiful! Thank you for your lovely comments. take good care.

Greg Gaul November 19, 2021 at 1:49 PM A passionate story very well told in rhyme and brevity with wisdom, that sails above it all. Well reached. Ann Peck November 19, 2021 at 2:31 PM Thank you, Greg. You are so kind.

Sam Kauffman November 19, 2021 at 9:23 AM So poignant Ann. The tragedy of the foster system powerfully expressed in metaphor and your images "at eighteen and alone she must now fly...she wasn't shown how to reach for the sky." Amazing lines. Congratulations on your win! Ann Peck November 19, 2021 at 10:36 AM Sam, thank you so much for your wonderful comments! I wasn't aware of the tragedy endured by foster care children until I read several books recently. I can't believe we give these children so little hope.

Paula Goldsmith November 19, 2021 at 8:43 AM Congratulations on your win. What a story/write in just 6 lines. So very sad but so very true. Have a blessed day/weekend.................. Ann Peck November 19, 2021 at 8:56 AM Dear Paula, thank you for your nice words. Those children have a sad life and little hope for the future.

Kim Rodrigues November 19, 2021 at 6:12 AM Ann, this says so much! Childhood often sets our path. God bless the solitary souls. Congratulations! Ann Peck November 19, 2021 at 8:54 AM Thank you, Kim. Yes, such sadness in a single life. And we wonder where the homeless come from.

Line Gauthier November 18, 2021 at 9:29 PM poignant poem. (Suggestion for your consideration: "Put into a system at the age of three;") Ann Peck November 19, 2021 at 8:51 AM Thank you, Line, for honoring my poem and for the really good suggestion! I've rewritten my poem, changing your suggestion just a bit but it makes the poem much better. I'll repost tomorrow.

Sarah Stein November 16, 2021 at 9:08 AM Wow. Such emotion behind these words. Ann Peck November 17, 2021 at 8:41 AM I know! Well, I hadn't thought much about this subject until I read 3 NYT bestsellers by Paula McLain, who was one in the system. Everything imaginable is thrown at these kids and then, at 18, they're dumped into the world with nothing (in most cases). I appreciate your comments.

Michelle Faulkner November 12, 2021 at 8:50 PM My sister in law works in the foster care system and it is so tragic what those poor children have to endure, I think your last line so sad yet also offers a glimmer of hope~ Ann Peck November 13, 2021 at 7:08 AM It's hard to imagine how they survive with any confidence. I bought a book on how the system was formed from the pen of someone who lived it, and found I just couldn't read it. It's all too sad. Thanks, Michele, for your comments. I appreciate.

Rico Leffanta November 8, 2021 at 10:12 AM I wondered how religion was created; no hope on earth so reach for the sky? Like a sunflower, some rise and blossom whilst the majority wither and die. I enjoy reading your work! Ann Peck November 8, 2021 at 10:45 AM You're so kind, Rico. You have the sharpest mind I know, and I know some university profs who think their minds are the sharpest. :) I love your limericks! And, yes, there is a glimmer of hope. I've just read three NY Best Sellers by a woman who grew up in the system.