Meager Treasure
by Maddie Seiler
The child’s eyes stared up into mine,
His whole being full of of naive wisdom.
But he is a winter fruit,
Born in the wrong place,
The wrong life.
And he doesn’t have a chance.
My heart shatters
As I hold this meager treasure,
This silent scream that no one can hear.
But he has made his life a warm void.
He is happy
Even when his stomach whines for food,
His face breaks into smile,
Even when rain soaks into the shack
He calls his home.
His life is a charred crown that will someday be perfect again.
But that day is not today.
All he has today are cloudy stars
Way out of reach.
A darkened dawn with light
That has yet to be seen.