That little boy we both know, his nose dabbed
with whipped cream, smiling ice cream lips,
chin speckled with sprinkles like his freckles.
everything that feeling is, is you.

birthday cake ice cream
but you lost all your sprinkles
now just vanilla.

You sit at the table with your blue and yellow crayons
Quietly coloring tigers and waving the fingers of your left hand.

You proudly show your decorated notebook; the one you alone created.
Safety plans, behavior charts, conflict resolution, and coping.

You're asked if you understand rules and regulation,
The look on your face as you color a second tiger purple, tells me different.

Searches coming and searches going looking for sharps.
Supervision daily, hourly, minute by minute
How then, can this be self-harm?

You sit in the van with your ninja turtles backpack
Quietly whispering, repeating, comforting words.

You proudly show your decorated notebook; the one you alone created.
Tigers, elephants, horses, cars, houses, and nostalgia faces.

You're asked if you understand stability and foster families,
The look on your face as you chew on your shirt, tells me different.

Days gone and months in this new place
You are doing so well, so great
Bedroom upstairs in the corner
All your favorite things have their space
Tell me one thing gained here?

Saturday Morning
Pancakes
Sprinkles, and
Maple Syrup.

© Jo Tomso