Waiting...... Poem by Reva Kern

All those years ago
I must have been five
No, maybe six years old -
I do remember
It was winter -
Darkness fell early-
Kindergarten, an afternoon class
Ended with the day -
I wore my red-hooded snowsuit
With red leggings
The one with soft, grey rabbit fur
Around the hood
Grandmother had sewn on -
Class had ended
And I waited
In the school lobby
In the dim light
Lit by one bare bulb
My face pressed
Against the glass
Of the double doors
Leading to the outside
And the blackness
And the cold
And the winter
Waiting and waiting -

The janitor came
Jangling his keys
Locking the doors -
Everyone had left
Everyone that is....but me
Waiting and waiting
For someone to bring me home -

No one came-
I stood there
In the quietness
Peering through the darkness
Of the night -
Waiting and waiting -

The kindergarten teacher
Having stayed late
Seeing me
Took me home with her -

Sounds and low voices
Emanated from the other room
As they sat for dinner-
I stood before
The front door
Waiting for it to open
Waiting and waiting -

Father came then
Brought me home -
Why did it take so long?
Was I not missed?