Image: Caerlynn Nash
My mother went to the shops. Said she’d only be a minute.
I was five.
I waited and waited.
Still I wait.
When you are five and afraid you stay where you are left. At least I did.
I was hungry, upset, my mother always came back.
But this day nothing like that happened.
A policeman came and took me to Aunty Beth’s.
I stayed with Aunty Beth, I watched the street each day, hoping.
I still hope for there is no word of what happened.
While hope exists you hang on to it.
I refused to believe that I was abandoned.
My mother was not like that.
In recent years I have explored the possibility that she was taken, that my abandonment was forced on me and not one of choice.
The police have nothing despite their best efforts.
It means I wander the earth with this awful sense of loss. Every child needs a mother and I am thankful to Aunty Beth who did what she did out of love and a sense of sorrow that her sister had abandoned her child.
One day I know there will be closure for me.
But thirty years on I still sleep with her photo beside me.
Written for: https://penntonic.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/creative-expressions-12-abandoned/
Morpethroad 
Sad and haunting. Nice piece. It reminds me a bit of my current read: “Leaving Time” by Jodi Picoult.
Thank you Caerlynn.
So sad. Hope there’s a closure soon. Nice post, Michael 🙂
Thank you ladylee.
This poem evokes such sadness, Michael. The story is real for so many. Thank goodness for the Aunty Beth’s out there.
Yes Mandy we are thankful all the Aunt Beth’s of this world. Hope you’ve had a good day.
I’m not as cantankerous today, Michael. I think that’s a good sign! 🙂
I bet it is especially for those around you. Hope you stay well.
Yes, I sometimes lose my sense of humor when I’m held back from being productive. Joey just rolls his eyes a lot. Thank you, I plan to stay well now.
Wow, this was very powerful.
Thank you so much.
You expressed that feeling of loss very powerful 🙂
Thank you Bee I appreciate you stopping by.
It’s always a pleasure 🙂
Very sad, I can picture the who.e scenario 😞
*whole
A very sad post Michael~ So much tragedy exposed in a few words ~ Thank God for the carers in every sense of the word. Auny Beth is a gem.
Oh – how sad.
Thank God for those who take over where moms (or dads) leave off.
Thanks RoSy, always lovely to see you drop by, even if it is to suck up a little of our summer heat after toiling in the snow at your place.
I feel the sun & spring nearby. 😉
Soooooon…
Have a wonderful week dear Michael.
{Hugs}
You too RoSy….(HUGS) back at cha…