Best Foster Home Poems
Children growing old and fading
innocence shattered with the curse of abandon
frozen between the first stage
of a baby's breath and navel,
desperate to live in real homes
after years of return and exchange
thrown from garbage to luggage…
foster home mother,
unit mother,
nun mother,
volunteer mother…
what’s a mother?
And I watch broken toddlers come and go
some small, a few tall, others weak,
most climbing inside tears or curling inside fire
nonetheless, they are all the same...
they just want to be loved as normal kids;
and I feel how they crave to belong
in a nest of stars without love’s regret.
I cradle their dreams with healing balm
pouring grains of future's summer dreams,
as I watch them come and go:
these, my “children” fly with kindling hope
playing as if to forget the numbness of dragged pain
steady still in the passing of riddled uncertainty…
"When will you come back?"
"Am I pretty or not?"
"Will my nightmares stop?"
And I watch broken toddlers come and go
changing, always changing my own truth…
Oh there’s so much more I need to accept,
for I can never have one of them as mine
being single and mostly alone ,
like these children... wanting a family.
.........................
For the toddlers of an orphanage where
I volunteer as a counselor.
...............................
The Poet's Ache Contest / Sponsor: Greg Barden
Re- submitted 8/1/2017
Honesty-an orphan lost in the streets of apathy-desperately seeking a foster home to find!
© Demetrios Trifiatis
19 August 2018
life is a journey they say,
but not a destination
still, I come to find a family is my only fascination
a mother that wants me
one who I can call my own.
a dad who's their though thick and thin
to see how strong I've grown
I have traveled as if to say
my whole life you see
but I feel lost , with no home stuck on this endless journey
cant be close cause soon ill leave
yes still I where my heart on my sleeve
no matter how many times I dream things
that never come true
ill still have faith that someday ill be happy to
I wonder what its like to wake up Christmas morning
with warmth, and light ,and love
but wondering wont get me far or at least that's what I'm told
from foster home to foster home on an endless path
I write my life that soon ill have
now i cry and prey "at last"
Changing the world just seems so much bigger than me,
it seems larger than just a thought or decision I could make,
but I know deep down there is a strong vision I really see,
taking a stand changing foster home rules for the children’s sake.
Innocent children so timid when leaving with new foster parents,
they are frightened and apprehensive for such a new exchange,
they’ve already been abandoned once before with scary variants,
now having to leave when unknown people who are strange.
I’ve volunteered at a foster home and before and my eyes I saw,
young babies and toddlers seem ready to find a reliable home,
playing blocks, I realized there needs to be a change of the law,
better edification to the parents, it’s possible their duties are unknown.
I’ve seen these sweethearts leave excited and come back scared,
I’d wish to teach these parents how serious are the responsibilities,
it may not be that they couldn’t love them or that they never cared,
but maybe there was maltreatment and realized in not good safety.
If I could change the world I would make sure homes were safe,
much better background checks so no abuse would be found,
better education to raise a child without frustration and haste,
hopefully these blameless kids would grow to be secure and profound.
I’m not implying they will grow up to be complicated and not bright,
I would pass legislature to transform the system for more deserving rights.
If I Could Change The World Contest
Sponsor: Becca Teagan
Date Written: July 24, 2016
She was the apple of her father’s eyes
Both of them lived in an illegal hovel
He mother left to marry someone else
Jobless father accepts risky tasks all.
Take tasks often dangerous and not cool
To keep his daughter well fed and clothed.
And then a time comes to send her to school
By a better school she was admitted.
But the child welfare workers interfere
Remove from his care sends to foster home
Can live with mother, legal guardian
None of them can live without each other
Desperate, did all to get her back home
What a quest of selfless love for loved one.
+++
August 30, 2014
Form: Free Verse
Inspired by the Taiwanese Movie "Cannot live without you" (2009)
Ninth Place win
Contest: No 13 by Linda
As a child in days gone by
Mother’s rod was swift but sure
Many a weal as time went by
Scarred my skin an ugly blue.
Nagging was the way of life
My mother used to lay the rule
Not a day did I cry
Child abuse, nor reported it at school.
Father’s hands lay thick and strong
A whopping blow upon my hide
On the day I failed at sums
That slap brought answers quick to mind.
Even when I pouted and sulked
Cups or shoes came flying high
Never ever missed the target
That mother’s aim intended to strike.
No words were kind
When I did wrong
No sparing the rod to spoil the child
Discipline the child was a daily song.
Today the cry is child abuse
For which society has no use
Put the child in a foster home
To grow up to be another deviant one.
Is it wise to spare the rod?
Or better yet to talk with the child?
Still mother’s way did well for me
To talk and live like a Jesus child.
A frightened boy struggles to cope,
filtering tears real life contains.
And scavenging for scraps of hope,
he slowly sifts through love's remains.
Fetal alcohol syndrome
warped the mind of this loving soul.
And placed within a foster home,
he paid an exorbitant toll.
He sorts lies from half-truths each day,
but he still manages to have fun.
For scary thoughts are wished away,
moving past what can't be undone.
Because his darting eyes offend,
he tries to avoid anger's gaze.
And reaffirming, you're his friend,
tests his welcome, a thousand ways.
The mind of a child guides this man,
and emotional pains stay fresh.
But, striving to be all he can,
scars of yesterday fade on flesh.
Often abused for fun and gain,
facing fears, he rises above.
And despite his anger and pain,
his lonely soul searches for love.
He's a ray of light in my heart,
he only wants to be my friend.
And close to me, yet worlds apart,
asks "How you doing?" without end.
(Quatrain)
3/1/2017
>Someone I know not who walked over my grave today
It started on my local BBC Radio.
It really did you know.
A question was just asked it’s true.
What was the nicest thing ever said to you?
I did not have to think of an answer.
To this question asked on our local BBC radio.
The one that struck me off their Facebook page.
They really did, you know.
I shall not ring them up.
I will not tell them so.
As if I do, I really know.
My voice will sadly go.
I can write it down.
As none can see my tears flow.
I wish I had not heard that question.
I really do you know.
My sister Alma was dying.
She was younger than me.
She was only fifty-four.
Two years younger, you see.
When we were young times are hard.
To a children’s home was sent.
For three years, we were together.
Then to different foster homes were sent.
Of course, no one would tell me.
As separation, at the home was made.
And after a little while playing with her.
I was not allowed to play.
And that made us both afraid.
Then the seed was planted.
We had no related plaids.
It was through my sister’s insistence.
When, finally she was in a loving foster home.
She pestered her foster mother saying.
‘Who was that boy who played with me in the children’s home?’
Her persistence finally paid off.
Her foster mother did find me.
We had many happy years visiting.
At least, that’s what she said to me.
But the nicest thing she ever said.
Was, ‘Stanley, I am so pleased I found you.’
Then Cancer took Alma away you know.
Now I must stop as cannot see, as my tears oh so flow...<
His mother left him as an infant
Only one place that he could go
Into the arms of proxy keepers
From foster home to foster home
He always got along with others
It always felt like family
But just as soon as he found brothers
A car pulled in and they would leave
He had one memory with his mother
Rocked back and forth in track marked arms
She said your better off without me
I'll pray you never come to harm
Time went by fast, the seasons passed him
Inside the carousel of care
And when he turned eighteen they gave him
A welfare check and one way fare
He found a job as a custodian
Inside a local boxing gym
But soon his cleaning days were over
When their best coach set eyes on him
He had a spark somewhere inside him
That made him stronger then the next
Became an outright scrap machine
And his opponents were perplexed
The world didn't pay him any favours
But toe to toe he won respect
He started cashing in the thousands
For every fight another cheque
He hired a lone investigator
To find his mom some way somewhere
And when he learned where she was living
Got in his car and drove right there
He said it cannot be this dump
And put his car right back in drive
But just before he hit the pedal
He heard a woman scream inside
Ran like a demon, kicked the door down
Met by the voice of some big goon
Who said,
Whats wrong now?
You a customer?
Did one of my whores steal from you?
He gave the gold strewn pimp a warning
And said I'm going to count to ten
If you don't want to go to sleep
Give me my mother Evelyn
When she was safely in his Beamer
He took her to his downtown flat
He said I know your life is awful
My mission is to change all that
And when withdrawals came with cravings
She cried inside one of his hugs
She said, lord help me, I abandoned
This angel sent here from above
That angel left wrapped in a towel
Placed with a note inside a crate
Had cried for her, not for his own self
The one that he had come to save
I hadn’t seen a house for an hour ; talking to a social worker, is pretty short
I’m off to a new Foster home; the Courtermarshe’s, a new Big Sister; Brenda
How much longer, Mr. Hodges I have to pee, so do I ; Behind a Mighty Oak
Harry we have to talk, I have bologna sandwiches, the family your going to today:
The Courtermarshe’s, can not have Children of there own Brenda is a foster child also
She’s going to have a hard time being a big Sister, after Alice Loved me so much
Alice and me still write back and forth, She is the Very Best “BIG SISTER”
Little did I know, how close Brenda and me would become as Black Clouds Weep
Blocking the smile of the Sun, closing the door to reality for two and a half Years
Harry, wake up there it is your New Home; Wow It’s a farm, cows, pigs, and chickens
The happiest nine year old, bolted out of the car zipping towards the Big, Red barn
Harry! Harry!! Yes Sir, Come over here and meet your Mom and Dad, Phoebe and Dan
Time for the (speech): Thank-you Mr. and Mrs. Courtermarshe, I'll try to be a good son
To be Cont.
Gina, the girl next door, was the most lovable person one ever knew;
she always listened to those in distress,
and they all were moved by her kindness...
didn't she offer them comforting words that even time couldn't undue?
For years she was in a Foster Home, her mom loved her,
but was unable to care for her from a rocking chair;
how could a teenager so bright become a mature woman
by chasing dreams after they had faded into the dawn?
Somehow on the way to school she thought of success,
since she was taken away, she had lost all interest
in memorable events such as Birthdays and Mother's Day...
she felt very sad, but couldn't forget them by looking away.
Browsing Job Wanted ads, she applied as a teller at TD Bank,
" I am almost eighteen and I can be on my own and buy me lots of clothes. "
she thought to herself hating unnecessary discipline and boring chores...
on that revealing moment, luck smiled on her and guys began to wink.
Before the bank closed, the General Manager approached her
with a smile of admiration and congratulated her for a job well-done;
" Congratulations, Gina...you're being promoted to Assistant Manager! "
And all she could think of was to give him the biggest hug in front of everyone.
I wouldn't want to relive my time in the foster home,
the beatings I would receive, I felt so all alone.
Baked apple they gave us morning, noon and night,
nothing they did would make you feel right.
Torn clothes and old sneakers is all we had,
never let them see you cry or be sad.
Other kids that were loud in the night,
a needle they received to make them sleep tight.
When I think of those times and what it did to me,
I know how good life is now that I am free.
As I got older the abuse got worst,
It felt like I was being cursed:
My mother would threaten to kill me,
Somtimes I would find a way to flee:
I was always found,
And thrown on the ground:
Verbal, physical, and sexual abuse,
My mother always had an excuse:
Legal authorities got me out,
I was very angry and would pout:
I was in a Christian foster home,
They were nice and showed me a church home:
God protected me all of my life,
I thank Him for helping me to survive:
Now I help others as much as I can,
I am married to a wonderful man:
My mother knows that I forgive her,
I always will love her for sure:
God is healing me everyday,
He's here for me in every way.
stigma shadows the word
crown ward
foster care
billions made every year
with stolen children
profits are near
prejudice blinds your eyes
children taken every day
here
and near
parents love them
fight to keep
children lost
taken in your sleep
courts take them
one foster home
becomes the tenth
love is lost
business grows
money is made
on broken homes
eighteenth birthday
comes
child tossed
new ones
to find
and take away
Collaboration with Marcello Eans
Often thought it, never said it.
I’m an heir to Earth, by birth, a world I inherit.
24 hours to live, do I cherish?
Man without vision, a man who’ll soon perish.
Life is my fetish, no worries, no eyes reddish,
Problems & concerns, lightweight like iceberg lettuce.
Do I worry about the weather, whether hot or numb cold?
Rain, sleet, or snow, things out of one’s control.
Career amongst peers, fame, and fortune.
Your name for 15 seconds & you claim your portion.
Mishap in the abortion, escaped with a chance.
A date with destiny, it’s mandatory I dance.
I spent my early years with no parents or family,
Always bouncing from one foster home to another.
Discipline came from movies, that was my reality.
I never knew what it was like to have a mother.
I was never no good in school, often failing.
I didn’t have no friends ‘cause people just hated me.
I didn’t graduate with everyone else in the spring.
I never got no diploma, had to get my G.E.D.
Holding a job for more than a year wasn’t easy.
Robbing banks was the best way for me to survive.
Despite what the jury said, I never killed nobody.
On death row, I spend my days in my new 9 to 5.
Be fine if I die, a candle with a wick that won’t burn.
Naked I came & naked I’m gon’ return.
In my faith, I stand firm, grace freely received.
All things are possible to him who believes.