The Four-Year Old Beside Me

Little body, crushed with burden
Little mind, overwrought with worry
Little child, broken
Behind the eyes, a hidden smile
Behind the eyes, a neglected heart
Behind the eyes, broken…

Why do they yell at you?
How do you live this way?

He smiles quickly and turns away,
He smiles shyly, unsure of what to say
He smiles, lightly
I feel his pain, present today
I feel his sorrow, present tomorrow
I pat his head, lightly...

To cradle him in my arms for eternity,
To teach him about love everlasting
To protect him from the hurt everlasting, too…
Hiding behind my own tears of rage,
Hiding behind my own thoughts engaged
Hiding behind my own ache within, I force a smile too...

Little body, crushed with burden
Behind those scars everlasting
You do not speak,
But I can hear your laughter
Hiding behind the pain in your heart
I would kiss the bruises on your cheek…

You do not care why they yell at you,
You know not how to live, any other way.