I Dreamt I Had A Daughter Once (Poetry)

I dreamt I had a daughter once —
a dear, angelic child —
a gift too precious to be real —
her nature sweet and mild.

I thought her perfect — gave her all
my love — my time — my care —
imagined I was somehow blessed
she was so good and fair.

But there were those who schemed to steal
my perfect child away —
they slowly poisoned her with lies
and changed her day by day

into a stranger with no heart —
the voice she used was cold
and stabbed me like a dagger would —
my grief bled unconsoled.

She disappeared — my darling girl —
one night so long ago
and who she is and where she lives
is not for me to know.

I used to be a mother once —
at least that’s how it seemed —
but memory’s a fickle thing —
perhaps it was a dream.