"Lost Child"

Little boy with bright mischievous eyes

And no control over his actions

In kindergarten he remains friendless

No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets

In first grade he cannot read

His wildness presses against school’s restraints

As he fights conformity

No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets

Second grade demands attention

But numbers whirl by in him

Until he becomes senseless and numbed by Adderall

No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets

He slows down and gives up

Submitting to rules and regulations

Molding himself into submission

Still—

No other child walks with him—arm flung around his shoulders—sharing secrets

Copyright 2019 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman