Poem
A Child Approaches
Hearts pause
when a child on the frontline
emerges from rubble
Most kids have abandoned this place
to sleep and run and dance
in places where bombs intrude less
Far too many have been lost
as apartments crashed, bombs tore through
shots were fired
And some have been stolen
taken to an aggressor’s land, claimed like bounty
ripped from parents’ and country’s arms
Yet on this day a child approaches
in the shadow of mom
Following her to collect food
reaching for garment
scampering to keep up
afraid to fall back
Inhale is constricted
as mom gently offers a spoon
filled with borscht
to child’s lips
Lips do not open
do not invite, shuttered by the horror
lost in the rubble
no child should occupy
Forthcoming, Sunflowers Rising Anthology in support of Ukrainian orphans
