Neglect Poem by Sara Hol

How does a parent not notice
over a duration of four years
that their child
is caught in a black hole.

How does a parent not realize
the pain the child had kept inside,
the self-loathing that consumed them
because of the emotional hits they took
throughout life.

How had the child hidden so well
the self-harm they had brought upon them-self.

How had nobody noticed
the smiling, bubbly, optimistic child
was dead, lonely, and barren within.

How did nobody realize?
That every night she cried,
screaming within
the child broke apart
the emotional detachment
that infested her heart.

How does anyone truly know
what others feel inside?
The child hid so well and deceived them all.

She reflected their lies,
watching and understanding
the neglect.