MARLA

 

Leaving her mother

Abandonment.

Those big brown eyes

Enchantment.

That cute black nose

Blandishment.

Those watchful ears

Confident.

Untrained, unlearned

Impudent.

Too young for hygiene

Impenitent.

Puddles in carpet

Incontinent.

Midnight throwing up

Embarrassment.

Sharpening new teeth

Belligerent.

Loving all the world

Exuberant.

Everyone loves her

Benevolent.

Yelled out disasters

Embarrassment.

Much too young for

Chastisement.

Sixteen months for

Acknowledgement.

And promises of future

Accomplishment.

Or dreadful threat

Punishment.

 

©

Margaret Pearce