O child, my child
Take care where you tread
These people, glass beneath your feet.
They shimmer, dazzling
But they are broken.
O child, young child
How gently your hands cradle
These shattered fragments before you.
A jigsaw heap for you to fix,
Beware their jagged edges.
O child, lovely child
You place the pieces together,
Look closely.
See your eyes in their reflections
Do you see what you’re putting together?
O child, sweet child
Your heart is strong
Pumping life throughout your being.
If your fingers catch shards
You will not stop the bleeding.
O child, my child
I cannot dull their edges.
I just hope
You’re not punished with scars
To match those on my own fingers and feet.
“Pitter Patter” was originally written in 2017, and has gone through many, many changes. This poem was originally written by me, Hannah Renea Bumgarner. It has been featured on Wolff Poetry Literary Journal.
