where were you

Fri, 05/31/2013 - 19:39 -- Mattiey

Location

92683
United States
33° 45' 11.3544" N, 118° 0' 3.7512" W

when I was starving
when I was left for dead
when I was abandoned

or

when I was freezing
to death in the winter cold
when I was scorched
by the hot summer sun
when I didn’t have a home to live in
except behind sewing factories
hiding between boxes of fabric
running away in the morning

or

when I didn’t have baby formula
when I didn’t have diapers
when I didn’t have toys to play with

or

when we could finally afford a room
only to be evicted
a few weeks later
several different times
when we had to walk miles and miles to the nearest supermarket
on our last legs, on our last couple of dollars
when I had to take turns sleeping either
on the floor or
on an old mattress
never to know what privacy is

or

when we got a microwave for Christmas
and could finally have hot meals
when we got a small fridge
and I tasted refreshing fizzy soda for the first time
when we got a TV
and I would wake up every Saturday to catch the cartoons

or

when I grew sick and tired
of eating the same rice and eggs combo at the baby sitter’s
and came to love sneakin’
a bite from one of those ramen packages
when I discovered how comfortable
wearing hoodies could be and
how colorful beach shorts really are
when I had my first crush
only to find out she was no longer a she
ten years later

or

when I saw my friends-
when I saw them spend time with-
when I saw them happy with both of their parents
a complete family

or how about this, how about

when Ma died.

when I lost everything.

when I didn’t have anyone left.

Where were you man?
When I needed you the most!
When I needed you in my life!
When I needed you to call me your son!

when I needed

a Father.

where were you?

Comments

Additional Resources

Get AI Feedback on your poem

Interested in feedback on your poem? Try our AI Feedback tool.
 

 

If You Need Support

If you ever need help or support, we trust CrisisTextline.org for people dealing with depression. Text HOME to 741741