The lost childhood.

Where did she go?
The girl with skinned knees
The girl with cropped hair
The girl in denim and tees

Where did she go?
The girl with the brown face
The girl with dirty nails
The girl who knew cotton - not lace

Where did she go?
The girl who laughed too loud
The girl who cried unashamedly
The girl who held her own in a crowd

Where did she go?
The girl who could fistcuff & fight
The girl who stood her ground
The girl who didn't hesitate in calling right

The swinging hand

The hand that swings

needs the clapping sound

of the hand that swings

in eager return

When the hand that swings

touches only grim silence

will it with brimming hope

try once - perchance twice?

But when all it feels

is a pregnant stillness

How can you expect

for it to swing again?