Bj Legros Kelley Poet Rhyme

The Cradle in the Hallway

                                                   The cradle in the hallway, 

                                                 Outside the bedroom door

                                             Gave the disappointed mommy

                                             The sleep she'd known before

                                                 Someone else could tend 

                                                To that, the little baby's cries

                                             It was sister Mary's chance now

                                                   To sing sweet lullabies

                                                Baby's six-year-old big sister

                                                      And three-year-old,
                                                          
                                                            Dear John 

                                               Became the precious angels

                                                     Little baby counted on

                                                   And nine-year-old big sister

                                                    Gave the little child a voice
                                                       
                                                     The precious gift of poetry

                                                 And a friendship of her choice

                                                       Mother was indifferent

                                                    Which left the child a scar

                                               But the gifts of love from many

                                                Each shine brighter than a star

♡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

Judy Ball April 22, 2026 at 9:00 AM This is a really sad one. When a mother is indifferent to her child is does leave a mark but thank God there were siblings to love and care for the baby. A good write my friend. Calling attention to something that happens all too often. God Bless, JB

Valsa George March 25, 2026 at 10:15 PM Probably the mother may be having some problem like postpartum depression. I feel sorry for her. However the siblings of the baby tend it as second mothers. Love is valuable no matter from whom we get it. Thank you dear Legros for your kind comment and visit to my page.

Sara Kendrick January 26, 2026 at 4:30 PM Whoa!! A sad one here. I remember those nights without enough sleep. I got up and did the care but there was no one to see that I got the care I needed but those times did pass. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Sara K

Karen Jones January 26, 2026 at 4:05 PM Very creative! I was challenged to keep up as my add like brain wandered on the wrong line sequence I think! I wish I could be as free to write in this format! I like that the child got lots of family love but felt some dilemma was in the mother child relationship. Was that correct?

CayCay Godwin December 3, 2025 at 9:24 AM Though this is only the 2nd poem of yours I have read, I suspect a theme is occurring, your poems get me emotionally. This grabbed a range of feeling - sad about the mother and joy about the siblings. While my mom was the opposite of neglectful, I was 7 years old when my little sister was born and very much loved her like a second mom, I still do, so I felt this in that regard also. It was pure pleasure to read. Bj Legros Kelley December 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM CayCay, thank you! It is such a blessing to read all of your sweet comments as I return after the busy Holiday crush and find your comments like sweet gifts to unwrap! Though our mother was anything but neglectful when it came to food preparation, home cleanliness, and provided much for her family in the way of nutrition, etc, she tended to out of our large family choose who she would bestow the parental love to, and these were her golden ones, raised within the same home but radical differences in treatment. My closest sibling, Mary had similar treatment, and sweet little John's mother had died when he was 3 months old, so he and his dad lived in our home, my mother made sure he knew she wasn't really his mom, as she told him, his mom loved him though she'd died. It was complicated. But, we children had each other, thank goodness!! Your sister sounds so blessed to have you as well as her mama's love! <3 I'm glad you liked the poem <3 I am happy your sister has you!

Victor Buhagiar December 1, 2025 at 2:06 AM Hope all families love their new baby and the ones to come. Bj Legros Kelley December 29, 2025 at 2:59 PM That would be wonderful Victor. Sometimes though they may be unwanted by some in their families, there are those who truly do want and love the new arrival. I have children who literally were placed with me, my waiting heart and arms were filled with the love and care they wouldn't have known. All kids are wanted, somewhere I think, though, maybe not from where they sprung into their world. I feel so incredibly blessed that I had siblings and other relatives who truly loved and cared for me. It never totally took away the ache of my mother's rejection, but the Lord made sure to grow nurture in my heart, and later sent a sweet friend to me, a sort of spiritual mother/Sister who even after over 50 years I still reach out to over the miles. Our Heavenly Father is always there for us; I think He prepared me in my experience, to be there for little ones who would one day need me, because I understood their need.

Gershon Wolf November 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM Such a blend of sadness and rejoicing here. Such a creative write. Moving. ~ Gershon Bj Legros Kelley November 24, 2025 at 2:37 AM Yes, it is true. I rejoice for the love that I had in my precious little angels on earth, and our dear precious Heavenly Abba. Oh my goodness, I don't know what I would have done without them. But, as I have always thought, He prepared me to understand and care for other unwanted little ones who weren't as lucky as I was. He has blessed me with bonus children. <3 Our Father is so loving, He has so blessed me.

Sotto Poet November 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM Your excellent poem creatively uses the symbolism of siblings as cradlers and guardians to the baby, providing a unique perspective on familial roles, dear BJ. The title "The Cradle in the Hallway" is an effective hook, setting a mood of tenderness and transition. Bj Legros Kelley November 24, 2025 at 2:31 AM My siblings were indeed my cradlers, but, my cradle was kept in the hall. My mom talked about it when I was older, and I was surprised that I had actually remembered being in the hall, crying, and a sister came to rock my cradle in the night. It was a three bedroom home that housed my parents, uncle, my cousins Johnny and my four siblings. I guess she figured with a houseful of people she shouldn't have to be the only one to take care of the new baby. I am grateful to my loving siblings, and precious cousin who was only a few years older than me. He was so loving to me. My champion as a little one. My sister Mary I call to this day, my Lil' Mama. She is an angel on earth.

Paula Goldsmith November 23, 2025 at 9:17 AM Your "The Cradle in the Hallway" is a powerful write. Loving siblings are the best kind to have. Have a blessed day/week writing away.............. Bj Legros Kelley November 24, 2025 at 2:24 AM Thank you Paula. honestly, it is hard to share some of the heartache, but as a poet, I know that sometimes we are meant to write even about the hard stuff, but not forget the healing either. I know I am not alone in this. God did prepare me for a calling to help other children, and I adopted three of them. If I'd not traveled that road I could not have understood other children who were not wanted, or neglected in love. I guess it is part of the plan God had for me. He did bless me with my lil' mama Mary, she is an angel for sure. The others too, I am blessed <3

Joe Maverick November 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM Very deep stuff B J.. Great lines in Various ways childhood is perhaps the Most viscious battleground of all.. I See the heaviest burdens of the world Are a result of ' negative indifferent or Bad acrions' toward children.. If only i Guess is the thought.? As humanity seems to lack the co-hesion and foresight..!!!!!!! Bj Legros Kelley November 24, 2025 at 2:20 AM I know my mom was exhausted from all the kids in the home, and she really wanted to gift my dad with another boy, I guess maybe she thought I was just ornery to have joined the family as a girl, but she sure wasn't happy about it. I wish she'd kept it to herself, but, I have healing through my siblings, including my dear cousin John, who were a blessing + an aunt, uncles, grandparents and more than anything, our Heavenly Father, who so blessed me with those rays of sunshine.

Miranda Hawley November 22, 2025 at 9:39 PM Sounds like the baby had some good sibblings! Bj Legros Kelley November 22, 2025 at 10:09 PM She did :) <3 Thank you for your visit and comment <3