Shades of Life

The Invisible Child

You look at me, but you don't see me.

You see a reflection of your own expectations.

You talk to me, but you don't hear me. 

You hear a voice that echoes your own opinions. 

You hug me, but you don't feel me. 

You feel a warmth that soothes your own loneliness. 

You praise me, but you don't know me. 

You know a version that fits your own image. 

You compare me with others, but you don't value me. 

You value a score that boosts your own ego. 

You judge me by standards, but you don't guide me. 

You guide a path that leads to your own destination. 

You ignore me when I need you, but you don't support me.

You support a cause that serves your own interest. 

You hurt me with words, but you don't apologize to me. 

You apologize to a person that pleases your own conscience. 

You want me to be someone else, but you don't accept me. 

You accept a change that conforms to your own ideals. 

You expect me to do something else, but you don't inspire me. 

You inspire a goal that aligns with your own plans. 

You force me to conform, but you don't respect me. 

You respect a rule that follows your own authority. 

You treat me as a norm, but you don't celebrate me. 

You celebrate a difference that showcases your own diversity. 

You are my parents, but you don't understand me. 

You understand a role that defines your own identity. 

You are my family, but you don't belong to me. 

You belong to a group that affirms your own community. 

You are my world, but you don't deserve me. 

You deserve a world that matches your own reality. 

You are my pain, but you don't heal me. 

You heal a pain that heals your own agony.

                                         -boniroy