on the days you feel invisible/left behind/again 

     precisely those days 

scoop up your wailing infant self

secure dignity in the crook of your capable embrace 

wrangle your precocious kicking toddler while whispering 

     I know

     I know you’re hurting 

support your earnest school child who must learn 

friends can fail them 

     if the adults haven’t already proven that 

be accountable to your wily adolescent appealing for basic justice

value your young adult living out the script written for them

still wearing ill-fitting expectations

     not knowing what comes after the play

this pit of shame was dug with unmet needs 

through being misplaced

having to chew through a leg to free the soul

the tool box was plundered leaving only grit

but this is the pause

     there is value in being

     there is life outside these walls 

Growth is shedding the facade

     it means allowing Love instead of hurling bitter salt

clean the mud off of their faces 

kiss their mangled innocence

     remind them of their divinity  

let them know you’ve Got them 

     —most importantly Have them 

swaddle all your parts

provide the comfort only you know you need

     and start to climb— 

This is the only ladder out.