Child Already Knew
© jhene erwin 2003 all rights reserved
His heart was broken
by a backward birth
to a crooked woman
whose reckless husband
cared nothing for the child.
Mother drugged.
Father shrugged.
Child already knew that he was alone.
Silent and stoic,
lungs filled with air,
attachment severed,
eyes wide open
and adjusted to the light.
Mother drugged.
Father shrugged.
Child already knew that he was alone.
Placed on mother’s
cold wet breast
father stuck a match
and lit up a cigarette.
Mother drugged.
Father shrugged.
Child already knew that he was alone.
