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Post by Lisa Arnold on Apr 19, 2010 0:45:38 GMT -5
Excuse me mister,
do you have a moment?
My daughter has been missing
for five years.
Look at this photo of her.
Tell me, have you seen my child?
Please do not walk away.
Take a minute and look
into her pretty brown eyes.
Wasn’t she a beautiful girl?
She will be ten tomorrow.
On the day,
she was taken, she told me
she wanted to be
a teacher like Miss Croft.
She loved her kindergarten teacher.
I was only gone
for a few minutes
to check on dinner
and some monster
stole her from the front porch.
He wasn’t a fiend or a ghoul. He was
a different kind of monster.
One disguised as a person in distress.
The kind of monster that tricks a child
into believing, they are in need of help
only to snatch them away and do them harm.
That is the kind of monster I am
speaking of.
Did you take a good look at her photo?
The last time I saw her,
she had on red tennis shoes and a pale
blue t-shirt with little bright yellow butterflies.
Her curly brown hair
was swept back in a ponytail.
Wait, don’t walk away.
Please tell me you have seen my child.
I do not even remember
how many cities I have
searched. I have looked
in so many places. It is
as if she has vanished.
How does a child disappear
without leaving a trace?
Often, I wonder how she looks.
I imagine her to be taller,
sadder and thinner. I wonder
if she has lost her beautiful
infectious smile?
I can count the hours of sleep
I have had in the past five years
on my ten fingers. I have aged.
I do not eat much. I have lost
everything, my husband, job
my daughter and my life.
My best friend is a bottle
of cheap bourbon.
I cradle it every night
until I pass out. I cannot
bare being awake with
all those insufferable
memories of my daughter.
Drinking calms my emotions
and dulls the pain.
It also keeps me from
going completely
and hopelessly
insane.
Please accept my apology.
I know you need to be
somewhere else, but
I am desperate, so
please tell me,
have seen my child?
I nurtured this child
from the day of her birth
and loved her as most mothers
love their children.
I remember how
she used to love
to sing. Do you
think she still does?
I know it is late
and you want to
get out of this rain
but I cannot imagine
why she was taken from me.
Can you?
I am sorry for
bothering you. I hope
you will forgive me.
I am distraught, and I
do not know what
I am doing or saying.
In a druken
stupor, I walk
the streets at night
praying for
an impossible
miracle.
Take one more look
at her photograph
and tell me if
you have
seen my child?
No, you say?
I thank you
for listening
to me. Your
eyes are kind.
I hope you have
a nice night.
Excuse me Miss.
Do you have
a moment…
©2010 Lisa Arnold
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Post by Silent-One on Apr 19, 2010 1:10:36 GMT -5
First I hope it becomes published, if not, send it to another publication. That is the advice you always give me for my article writing. Lisa, I truly love his poem because it is has depth, emotion, passion and it is timely as well as timeless. Your poem tugs at the heart and truly brings to light the horror a mother feels when she has lost her child in such an horrific way and it shows the devastation tragedy causes. Your poem is very poignant, gripping, intense, clever and imaginative write…very brilliant write    |
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Post by Rose on Apr 19, 2010 1:30:04 GMT -5
Hey Lisa,
I wanted to respond to your poem before I go to bed.
wonderful write. It held my attention until the very end. It tugs at the heart, good job
have a great night
I forgot to say I hope it gets published 
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Post by Lisa Arnold on Apr 19, 2010 1:46:33 GMT -5
thanks so much Harry. I am so gald you liked my poem Hello Rose, thanks and sleep well, my friend |
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Post by Bob on Apr 19, 2010 2:44:25 GMT -5
stirring write that captures the soul and reveals the heart and soul of you!
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Post by bridge on Apr 19, 2010 3:22:15 GMT -5
wow, Lisa you have floored me yet again!
heart-tugging and sad, but an excellent write!
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Post by Betty on Apr 19, 2010 4:02:28 GMT -5
you certainly understand pain and anguish and you know how to captivate the reader!
this is a tough read and theme, but it is very well handled and presented, great job
I am in awe of your raw talent
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Post by Reggie on Apr 19, 2010 4:32:11 GMT -5
there you go surprising me again this morning  what a poem and what a theme! It amazes me how you are able to get into the mindset of a grieving mother. I say this because I know you do not have any children...wonderful stuff here Harry is so right this well-written poem is both timeless and timely, excellent!! I will keep my fingers crossed that this one gets published, keep us posted Lisa, I forgot to ask where you got the idea to write this, if I may ask? |
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Post by Lisa Arnold on Apr 19, 2010 5:59:39 GMT -5
stirring write that captures the soul and reveals the heart and soul of you! oh, this is so kind of you Bob thanks for stopping by and for the kind words, you lifted my day |
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Post by Lisa Arnold on Apr 19, 2010 6:00:52 GMT -5
wow, Lisa you have floored me yet again! heart-tugging and sad, but an excellent write! Dan, my dear, thanks so much, you too have made my heart sing this morning |
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Post by Lisa Arnold on Apr 19, 2010 6:03:04 GMT -5
Betty, thank you! I am in awe of your generous spirit |
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Post by Lisa Arnold on Apr 19, 2010 6:07:49 GMT -5
there you go surprising me again this morning what a poem and what a theme! It amazes me how you are able to get into the mindset of a grieving mother. I say this because I know you do not have any children...wonderful stuff here Harry is so right this well-written poem is both timeless and timely, excellent!! I will keep my fingers crossed that this one gets published, keep us posted Lisa, I forgot to ask where you got the idea to write this, if I may ask?  Reggie As for the idea, it came from when I was watching my local news channel one night and a woman's child was taken from here in broad daylight. The interview with the lady was very raw and gut-wrenching. To this day, I still remember it and it was at least 5 years ago. As far as I know, her daughter was never found  and thanks for the good wishes for publication |
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Post by Cherrie on Apr 19, 2010 7:05:18 GMT -5
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Post by Sierra on Apr 19, 2010 7:23:53 GMT -5
Lisa, this is soul-touching. I have to get to work now.
I will come back later for a better read.
Have a great day!
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Post by Dana on Apr 19, 2010 8:02:57 GMT -5
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Reggie 
and 
all
time for me 
echoes, hope you all are doing well 
