The baby lies in the plastic crib. All jerky arms and purple feet. It is alive but not a person yet. A blank page on which to write the story. In the first moments of its life the baby can become anyone and anything. It is as yet unnamed. Unclaimed. Nothing more than bones and skin.
The people who made the baby carry it home. They have already begun to fill the page. They write in invisible ink so no-one else can see.
They think the baby needs nothing more than milk. But the baby yearns for more. So much more. The baby learns the things that other babies learn. It can walk and speak. They all think the baby is ok. They do not listen to the words that it has learnt. What it is trying to say. They do not see that is not walking but running. So many years trying to find the warmth of a blanket. The tenderness of a loving kiss.
The baby is alone. Untouched yet consumed by the hands that carried it home. All those invisible words scratched upon it.
The baby wants to repel its beginning but knows it will follow her until the end. The baby tries to grow. There are times when it feels proud and strong. But it is hard for the baby to find joy in its birth. To feel anything more than a heavy-weight of bones and skin.
The baby lies in the bed now. All jerky arms and purple feet. The story written on it. What they did not do. How it needed love. How it needed them.
the lack of love and warmth is something we all want and a lot never get even as babies. great writing
ReplyDeleteI want to take hm/her home with me and give what he/she wants.....but within reason.
ReplyDeleteSomething I always wondered about doing is fostering, but I know it would stop me going out of the house to work so would leave me in a poorer place.There are unfortunately lost and lots of children that are in a bad place and need more than they get in all sorts of ways.That is so sad and I hope it isn't written with first hand experience on your part.
Hi Linda - fostering is great, but like you say it needs to be right for everyone concerned..thanks for your visit..Jae
ReplyDeleteGreat writing and unfortunately so true. "All those invisible words scratched upon it..." "untouched yet consumed--" that's exactly the way it is. Wonderful writing.
ReplyDeleteKate
You gave me shivers with this. So much damage done, no way to make it up. The child in all of us, wronged, even if unintentional - what follows and permeates our being, left over from beginnings and affecting all our present and future.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dee and Kate Jae..
ReplyDeleteok now that i wasnt expectin to read esp the lack of love :(
ReplyDeletebut u have ripped another side of it all!
chk mine at
http://bit.ly/9kpoXs
Thanks 'Divaa'..Jae
ReplyDelete