Unloved (Poetry)

There’s nothing as sad as an unloved child
as the years go rolling by
nothing as poignant in the night
as their lone unanswered cry

I remember those nights in the chill small hours
when a bitter wind howled long
rocking myself in my homemade bed
singing soft some soothing song

to ward off the shadows — conquer the fear
that those sleepless hours bring
when no one responds to the frightened plea
and hope drags a broken wing

There’s a sadness that clings to the unloved child
through the years of growing tall
sometimes I wake on a winter’s night
and I hear my own ghost call