The Wild Child

They found her living by a dumpster
she never cried out to be rescued
but when she felt threatened

she crouched under a table or in a corner
arched her back, bared her teeth,
and held her hands out in front like claws.

There was no reasoning with her
she had to be left alone until she felt safe
then she came out like nothing happened.

Her face was crowned with a mane
of strawberry curls, she had
a freckled nose and dark brown eyes,
and spoke with a lisp of an innocent child.

A Mom and Dad with two teenage sons
wanted to do something good
so they agreed to bring her into the family
and adopt her as one of their own.

In the land of make believe
her story should have a happy ending
but her needs were great and in time
each one abandoned her.

The oldest son started using drugs
eating food out of the dumpster
shouting, "Now will you notice me!"
His parents thought he should know better
no one looked for him when he was gone.

The younger son withdrew
stopped talking to everyone,
found some friends who took him in
and never came home again.

The father sought love
in another woman’s arms
his wife's was too busy to fill his needs
he packed his own bags when he left
didn't say goodbye and she didn't miss him.

Yes, this story should have a happy ending
but when all was lost the wild child
climbed out the window
and returned to the streets

where she knew how to survive without them.