Claire is too young
to have that thousand yard stare…
much too young
Her grades have fallen
and she no longer
attends gymnastics on Thursday afternoons
The youngster’s mother
can’t break through the wall
that Claire has constructed
to keep the pain away
Nearly every other girl at school
has the bright eyes
and joyful spirit she possessed
just two years ago
Sixth grade isn’t supposed to be like this
How on earth will she fit in
at a new school next fall
Will her tormenters move on
to hassle and berate other girls
or will Claire be the target once more
It’s infinitely harder growing up these days
Summer vacation can’t stop the fear…
cannot stop the tears when the past nine months
have been torture.
Maybe there’s a Claire in your world…
one whose face would brighten
if you took the time to care…
to see the broken heart
that lives inside that thousand yard stare.
What You’re Saying