war
Lois Greene Stone

Sterile formulas, vaccinations,
Moments with mumps, measles.
Fiery throat from tonsils
Too terrible to keep.
Eye exams, hearing tests,
Braces on teeth, broken
Nose nursed to new.
Quiet talks, tempers tingling,
Nightmares, pleasures,
Explored, spoken, soothed.
Love directed to help
Cope with a future
He never saw.