A child upon the doorstep weeps
ignored from passers-by,
She wipes away her lonely tears
Upon her woollen sleeve,
Locked out to play alone within
That bleak and terraced street,
Where pavements act as gardens
And throughout the city weave.
They lie beside each narrow road
Where litter grows like flowers,
The stench so hard to bear within
Those red-bricked valley walls,
The only green, the moss that lies
Between the kerbs of stone,
She cries out for her mother
But on deafened ears it falls.
Her head is bowed unto the ground
And to those dreary slabs,
On which she's stared so often
That she knows each groove and crack,
Her teardrops stain the pathway
And her worn out buckled shoes,
Which many times have run away
But always led her back.
A child upon the doorstep weeps
Neglected and abused,
Her socks once white as grey now
As the winter skies above,
She wears to hide the bruises
That she wished she could forget,
But she's never known no other life
And never tasted love.
An elegy for a winter child painted in gray and white. Beautifully composed. Your title is especially poignant. God is counting those tears. Warmest regards, Sandra
The whole of heart and soul is weeping....child abuse is strongly condemned and punished though it continues to happen...your words give the reader immense sorrow...
You paint a vivid picture and send a powerful message. I admire your use of contrast to bring across more penetrating images. Well done.
You have described so well a childs life, but it is also a reflection of life today, for many thousands of people as well. It is ironical, because those terraced houses you describe where built in the industrial revolution to bring bring poor people from the countryside to work in towns and cities, so they can work in mines and factories. Today they are the deprived areas of the UK and the rich people commute from the countryside to work. Brilliant poem Andrew.
A child, ignored from passers-by, lonely tears play alone within, With litter as the flowers, She cries out for her mother But on deafened ears it falls. Neglected and abused, And never tasted love. These are the points which i collected from your poem after reading it carefully.. Sadness, i felt like weeping with the child. childhood should be filled with wonderful and sweet memories…. But…..your poem indicates the struggles and pains of so many dear ones here on the earth. Thank you dear poet. tony
Verily, a heart touching poem, There are so many who grow up on roadside without anyone's love, only God is their guardian.....10
Hello Andrew this is a very moving poem beautifully written well done
well pitiful depiction of a weeping child reflects your inner core of heart and its softness.thank you for sharing
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Sorrowful poems about animals and children always tug at my heartstrings. You have a way of creating images that vividly show the child as being neglected and crying out for love. Progress hasn't stopped this happening. Masterfully written Andrew. 10 Karin Anderson