The Unheard, The Unseen

Mommy, today I scraped my knee,
I bawled more than it hurt,
I didn’t want to be sent to Doctor Uncle,
I needed your arms around me.

Daddy, today I crashed my bicycle,
If I said I didn’t do it on purpose I’d be lying,
I didn’t want the new cycle you ordered,
I wanted you to scream at me.

Mommy, I didn’t eat today,
I hoped you would notice this time,
And you did, but you sent the maid in with the tray.
I wished it were you who were feeding me.

Daddy, I detest this camp you sent me to.
The land is foreign and their ways strange.
I break every rule hoping they’d call you,
I had hoped we’d stay home instead, just us- family.

I swallowed all the pills in the bottle,
My last attempt to get you to hear my plea;
No, I won’t let the psychiatrist help me,
Why can’t you be here, talking with me?

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