Life did not give me
what other kids took for granted.
bed, home, care, love
those they said were for others
not for me
i spent most of my time
alone and lonely, wandering
no mom or dad care
in the street, at age four
anthrax notwithstanding
I pet a bunny with bloody nose
I told mom when I got home
she said he was dead and and I shouldn't have
then at 5 in the park with the pedo
sounds like a Clue game
just don't use the bathroom, she said
but i did then lied and felt bad
for lying and upsetting mom
6 was at the docks that smelled of fresh coho
playing fisherman in my silly striped pants
jeered by other fishermen
for my twig pole and string
with barnacle bait
All these strange cities
lived in but a short time
they moved more than most people
went in their attics
Always different places
with unfamiliar faces and new names
but the aloneness for the child
remained the same
and the dangers and risk
with no parent to watch
and confusion
at seeing other kids with theirs
But who cares? She's fine
We have more important things to do
She'll be okay and if she isn't
Oh well, one less mouth to feed