A Child's Lament

[David Campbell]

In Stephen's thread I referred to the idea of addressing current issues in verse written for children. For too many kids, childhood isn't all teddy bears and rainbows. Here's an example.

A Child’s Lament

You’re not home again tonight, mother,
and I don’t know where you are.
Must I search for you again, mother,
in the nearest hotel bar?

Does it ever cross your mind, mother,
that you’ve left me home alone?
Just a child of only ten, mother,
must I get by on my own?

There is no food in the house, mother,
and no money to buy more,
though you said we’d be all right, mother,
like so many times before.

Will I have to lead you home, mother,
on that long, slow walk of shame?
Do you wish I wasn’t born, mother?
Will you say that I’m to blame?

Are you lying somewhere hurt, mother,
from another drunken brawl?
Will we need a doctor’s help, mother?
Will policemen come to call?

Uncle Charlie’s just come home, mother,
and I’m scared what he might do.
Will he beat me with his fists, mother,
like he often does with you?

Now I’m wandering the streets, mother,
with such sadness in my heart
at the promises you gave, mother,
that we’d make a fresh new start.

I am lost and so afraid, mother,
and I need you here with me.
What direction should I take, mother,
for the adult I might be?

© David Campbell 07/12/14

[Maureen K Clifford]

Nicely done David and so sadly seen quite often - the only thing that jarred with me is the use of the term 'mother' - I suspect that a child from such a dysfunctional family would not use the term 'mother' but rather 'mum'. The term Mother always gives me a picture of well dressed, well spoken children from posh schools or children of the English aristocracy (my hangup)

Just my thought not a criticism

[Heather]

I'd have to disagree with you Maureen and I think David has used "Mother" quite deliberately (I'm sure David will put me right if I'm not). A child would sit on the knee of Mum or Mummy. Mother is distant, unfamiliar. This "Mother" is not this child's "Mummy", the one who loves, protects and sets an example. The term, "Mother" used here is not a term of endearment but almost of contempt.

Heather

[David Campbell]

Thanks, Maureen, but Heather's on the right track. The formal, exasperated tone is deliberately designed to indicate a role reversal. The child is the adult in the relationship, using the sort of "voice" that we've probably all used with our own children at times when they've done something wrong. (And there's no reason why children from posh schools can't have dysfunctional families!)

Cheers
David

[Heather]

And how do I know this? I have a teenage daughter. Oh the joy!

[Maureen K Clifford]

Fair enough - I confess when I refer to my Mum as Mother it is usually with a degree of exasperation so I get it (now)

[Heather]

Put your hands on your hips and puff your chest forward and it will automatically come out as "Mother" Maureen...

[Bob Pacey]

And they never grow p until they have kids of their own and the look of realisation is dramatic

Heard my son talking to his oldest the other day. Now son there are actions and there are consequences so if you cannot accept the consequences don't do it ?

Almost word for word and I thought I was not having an effect.


Bob

[alongtimegone]

Some children grow up in a world of sunshine ... some in a world of pain. Is there a God? If there is I think he's an angry one and some of us catch him on a good day - and some don't.
I enjoyed your poem David, as always. It saddens me however, that such conditions exist that find us writing about, talking about, living next to, legislating for etc. etc.