This poem, by Dr Audrey Coatesworth is from her book, 'Daily Life' -  to purchase the book see authorsden.com/ signed bookstore or go to the SHOP page on website www.audreycoatesworth.com

To hear the author read this poem - go to

http://www.audreycoatesworth.com/#/daily-life/4524457251

This poem is related to the article 'Alone in a land of giants'- see 'My Articles'

Conversations At The Nursery

'Why are you here every day?’

'Because mummy is unkind

She shouts and has been known

To hit my bare behind

I was crying, I had tummy ache

I couldn't bear the griping pain

Finger marks stayed there

She hit me, then hit again

Someone saw her do it

And reported her and soon

I had to be here all the time

I see her most days - at noon’

'My Mummy is not like that at all

She is very sweet and gentle

She is so intelligent that looking

After me just drives her mental

I heard her say she needs something

Called 'rational adult talk'

So she just leaves me every day

Then drives happily to her work

Maybe there she is clever

But with me she's not too bright

She doesn't know how to stop me

When I test her through the night’

'I do not have a daddy

My Mummy had me on her own

She is kind and loves me

But needs money for a phone

To ring granny and her best friend

And my aunties Sue and Lizzy

They all say they love me

I see so many, my head is dizzy

I nearly know their faces

But I’m not sure where I live

As Mummy will just take me

And to someone different give’ 

'I come from a wealthy family

Mummy thinks I am a guest

She doesn't know about child rearing

‘It’s for those who must know best’

She reads books about psychology

And Fen Chui to name a few

I don't think she knows me at all

But her mother she never knew

She doesn't want a nanny

As she would clutter up the house

But if I could just stay at home

I would be quiet as any mouse’

'I wish I was at home now

Where I could quietly sleep

There is just too much noise

And wide awake I keep

I have such a lovely bedroom

With a mobile made of wood

I have toys piled around my cot

And my soft teddy feels so good

My head aches with my cold

My chest hurts when I cough

Why can't I just stay at home?

I am so little and life is tough’

'I don't know why I was born

A mother I will never be

Unless I can care for my baby

So she won't have a life like me

I don't recognise where I am

What if they forget to call

To pick me up to take me home?

I can't find the way - at all

If a career is so important

Status, clothes and a new car

Why did my mother have me?

I'd be better not born, by far’

‘I took my first step today and

I said 'Mama'- my first word

But the lady said nothing back

As if she had never heard'

'It’s because she is not your Mama

And has heard 'first words' before                     

And others have taken 'first steps'

There's no excitement any more'

‘I'm sad my Mummy missed it

But why should I try to wait?

Until she comes and collects me

She went out - through that gate’

Many others shared their troubles

Talked of missed days of love

Discussed the deep black hole within

Some learned to rise above

Learned to cope by switching off

Their emotions one by one

Until, finally, like little robots

Pain and feeling had now gone

The emotions of a few remained

Some were angry, some were sad

They were confused as they knew

Most parents were not bad

So the children in the nursery

Shared their thoughts - in vain

No one knew what was going on

In each little person's brain

Longing, loneliness, lost and sad

Felt in body and in mind

A loving mother to a tiny child is

More important than all mankind

That role is usually taken on

With great pride and glowing joy

But greater needs soon appear

To usurp a baby - girl or boy

So - they presented smiling faces

As they knew that was the way

Hoped people would remain kind

As they learned they had to stay

'Such a good child'

'Oh so sweet'

'She's as quiet as a mouse

But, of course, you understand

We want a bigger house'

'I miss being with him, naturally'

'Yes, I am sure I'm doing right'

'The only problem that we've got

She will not sleep at night'

They cannot speak for themselves - so I speak on their behalf

Copyright ACoatesworth 2009