The Child

An unborn child that constantly haunts the dreams of a woman

Sitting on the side of a circular hall
Legs hugged to your chest
You stand as I approach
Hair of silk bistre
Welcoming smile
Upon lips ready to speak
But you offer your hand instead
And I accept
Uncanny connection
That initiates my nurturing instinct
To protect and keep close

I smile in return to meet your eyes
Deep chocolate mottled brown stone
Then we pause and you speak softly
"Mommy, where is Daddy?"
My smile disappates, puzzled
Bringing myself down to your level
I reply, "Why did you call me Mommy?"
Your response surprised me more
As if I were to simply know
You say with a giggle, "You are!"
And you assure me we will see
One another again
Leaving me... to find your Daddy

I awaken
Shaken, I can still feel you

Then again I see you walking
Down a lone, brick road
Broken from wear and tear
Picking up speed toward a crowd-
Like parade under the pass ahead
I run to you, taking your hand and stop

I ask, "Where are you going?"
You say, "To find Daddy! Where is Daddy?"
I look down at the tattered bricks
Then back in those beautiful brown eyes
Tear filled with ache
So big and full of ....desperation
For someone so fresh in youth
But your smile was replaced
With a slight quiver of the chin
My palm cups your right cheek
Heart reaching out with love
To find you and protect

I urge you to come
Yet you resist and tug toward the crowd
I plea, and you stop and turn
Looking at me with wondering eyes
"I lost Daddy...She was not Mommy"
You point toward someone behind me
"And he is not Daddy!"
Tearing yourself away
Again running toward the parade filled road ahead
You yell out, "I have to find Daddy!"

I chase after, feeling someone follow
Can barely see their sillouette
Two people on my right aim to distract
I wish I knew your name
And you disappear among the many people
Who now blanket your presence
From me...And I need to know more!
The more I fight to find you
The more these two try to distract me
The more I want to use aggression
And so I refrain

Still searching for you
This child who calls himself mine
Feeling all the emotions of a mother
In desperate need to protect
To love
A woman desperate to know

I awaken
Shaken, I can still feel you

Author's Note

I wanted to write this poetic style. Without rhyme yet, in a story form.

Reviews

[Michael X]

holy smokes, this is amazing, what can be said? i can think of a million things,
but the meaning, the dream itself, a metaphor, and the reader can only
surmise, assume what the meaning is, and why the child keeps appearing and
asking for daddy, there is so much more to this, and yet you've rendered
the plot perfectly and it leaves the reader craving the answers,
this is so haunting, i just about go chills as i read into the first two stanzas, because it seems like a nightmare, brilliantly poetic in form and feature.
great grippinmg job, your talent shines here :)

[Holly]

I agree with Michael WOW

This gave me chills and reminded me o me own dreams, the child I may never have. Ye have put something into words that I never could or would ever be able to.

[Tony]

Excellent.
Vivid and terrifying.
I am reminded of humanities lack of concern for our youth, whether that was part of the creation, I do not know.

[Chilson, Joshua]

A dream with no ending in sight, reoccurring without fail as you wish to help but cannot. Executed from story to poetry format very well. lol I won't write about my dreams as they.... could frighten. I liked this a lot Janee, though I remember talking about this and you still haven't found the way forward? :) Anyway, good write and thanks for the recollection onto those days.

[Crow]

Such poetic sadness, but this piece is beautifully written.

One of my favorite pieces here on WC now.

[Dream Weaver]

Well it's definetly a story....Very sad and emotional..
nice job switching it up...