Poetry

A Child in Pain

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen / 11 Comments

It takes a
village to raise a child,
the proverb says. To hear a child’s pain,
sight and touch are senses to use in a deaf world
where no-one has bandwidth to listen
till it’s too late to matter.
High levels
built on trust and freedom,
this is how we measure happiness!
A 12-year-old takes matters into their own hands;
playground assaults a child’s dignity
while we mind our business.
Happiness
takes many forms, and who’s
to say I’m content than my neighbour?

Prompt 11: A child in pain for Write Right @Thotpurge

PS. Someone once said, “a poem is a record of failure.” I don’t know about that. However, I’ll say this is a failed or unfinished triquain swirl poem; the act of writing a poem every day is a measure of one’s commitment…*sigh

In any case, if you read or watch the news, you might have heard already that we had another school shooting in Finland. The poem is in response to this recent tragedy.

, , , , ,
Khaya Ronkainen
Khaya Ronkainen is a writer, poet and creative professional. Her blog focuses on all things poetry and creative nonfiction.

11 Comments

  3. sight and touch are senses to use in a deaf world
    where no-one has bandwidth to listen
    till it’s too late to matter.

    Yes. These lines say it all.

  5. It is heartbreaking and scary. School is one of the places children (and staff) should feel safe. ;( I came across the quote in some lit mag, and an interview with a poet. I found it interesting as well.

  7. So true. I was required to keep my door locked, all day, my last few years in the classroom. Unsettling. 😞

  9. School shootings are shocking and painful, Khaya. Your poem captures the failure to recognize a child’s pain before it explodes. We’re failing to keep our children safe in the US, but it seems that global stress (caused by adults) is taking a toll everywhere. Hugs, my friend.

Do leave a trace!