My Poor Child

Oh my poor child

you have just  collapsed  to the floor

weakened by malnutrition

you  don’t have any more strength

your  small bones

are  now like twigs

fragile and thin

as you   lay  on the floor

 you call out to me

your voice is only a whisper

but I can hear you

I quickly come and help you

and as I bend down

I look into   your eyes

and what I see

is a child

 who no longer cries

but instead just stares

my poor child

I want to help you

but I can’t

i have nothing to give

I have no food

I have no medicine

all I can do

is comfort you

as I put my arms around you

my eyes begin to  cry

those tears that  fall

are tears of heartache and anguish

for as a mother I am heartbroken

because I can do nothing for my child