Tiny Exile

Imploringly staring up at you
desperate to reach your eyes, your heart.
You direct your glance away,
avoiding her pleading gaze.

            alone, fretful

Trying to keep abreast of your footsteps,
she’s running, almost tripping now.
You merely quicken your stride,
leaving her unable to level up.

            alone, despaired

Stretching her small soft fingers up
Hoping to grasp your hand, at last.
Sharply, too sharply, you pull away,
never once acknowledging her touch.

            alone, afraid

Now she cries, wishing, as ever
for you to hear her; to comfort her.
You cover your ears, so her tears fall silent,
leaving her discounted, yet again.

            alone, abandoned

Cold, cowering child, pushed from sight,
your little self struggles to move, grow.
She cannot heal in absence of acceptance.
Until the day you finally draw her close,

            alone, exiled
no longer.

Photo by Syarafina Yusof on Unsplash