A Child's Toy

As I sit and wait
Upon the bottem shelf,
People don't look my way.
I lounge in loneliness
And smile with dismay.

One evening, though,
A child had found my ragged self
And picked me from my place.
He smiled so triumphantly
And hugged with great haste.

His eyes so full of hope and cheer,
Brought shame to mine, so dark and cold.
His touch was soft and gentle,
But mine so rough and old.

Yet, every day he came back
And held me to his cheek.
But never did he mention
Of wanting me to keep.

On and on
The child would return
With hugs, praise, happiness
And something new to learn.

I felt so glad
That I had finally found someone
To love.
But every once in a while,
I'd feel this heart wrenching tug.

Almost like a sinking feeling
Or someone pullin on my strings.
Perhaps, it's something deeper,
Like my heart tearing at the seams.

I want to say something,
But what good would that do any way?
So for now, all I can do is love this child
As I sit and wait.