UNWANTED
They called her Polly for want of a better name,
Delivered, held a moment, then unwonderingly lain,
Careers ruined, husband or wife made a slip,
When she knew she was pregnant she nearly did flip.

Polly was fed, changed, but never ever cuddled,
Just placed in her crib, lying, a small unloved
Bundle of pain, wanting, longing for some love,
She still remembered the joy of heaven above.

A nanny, that’s the answer. They had no spare time
To be parents, then back to work, that would be fine.
An older lady that would be cheap and earn her keep,
And Polly won’t keep us, with her crying, from our sleep.

Nan they called her, in need of a roof over her head,
She had always loved children, she would be fed,
That’s what she wanted, but there was no love in the home
All the parents did was work late then come in and moan.

She tried to love the baby, the poor little thing,
Her parents didn’t care, no love did they ever bring,
She cared and tended , the child slowly began to grow,
You could see it show, longed for parents some love to show.

Her fifth birthday, best gifts that money could buy,
But she did not want to get up, in bed wanted to lie.
“They don’t love me nan like you do” so hard did she cry,
“ I know God loves me, so I think I’ll just die”

“Of course they love you my little treasure,
Look at all the gifts, they will bring you every pleasure”
“But I need love, a hug, a goodnight kiss,
And then see them smile at me, toys I don’t miss”

Nan mentioned it when they came in much later on,
They dutifully went to her bed, hugged her, felt their duty done.
Her face lit up with beauty before not seen,
Polly for that moment felt love quite keen.

“Come another night please mommy to say goodnight,
For I love you so much” her eyes sparkling bright,
“Alright darling, any night that we are home we will,
Would you like breakfast together, would that be a thrill.

At last the child came alive, love in some part shown,
It made a difference, a little happiness made known.
The parents felt no real emotion, but each little act
May some day, slowly, turn into a true loving fact.

M Ann Margetson May 1, 2002
2079unwanted/family