It is a child's pain
a small cut on an even smaller hand,
The hand, now much older, will never let it smooth again.

It is a child's pain
an innocent mind, tarnished only by tantrums.
Murky now, it shall never be pure again.

It is a child's pain
once so easily surprised and alive.
Has turned to ice and acceptance, never shocked again.

It is a child's pain
confusion and denial, yet never bitter,
that loss will not be whole again.

It is a child's pain
the empty gap in a scribble of 'my family'
to never completely be clear again.

It is a child's pain
an all trusting love and longing,
left with merely wishing to belong again.

It is a child's pain
a part of me, a side of me, a slice of me, that cut in me,
it will never be me again.