CROSS-ROAD - A KAITLIN POEM

CROSS-ROAD -  A KAITLIN POEM *


When does the time come
when a child's laughter
trailing off across green
wet summer grass 
freezes into the ice
of winter, thaws again
into spring and still
echoes into summer.

When does the time come
when listening for the 
laughter becomes a memory
rather than an anticipated
possibility
When does the time come
when hope is replaced by
silence?

Who determines the cross-road
when laughter dies
on decomposing lips
of a child 
forever gone...




* this is a poem from a continuing series of poems that is not autobiographical 
simply a child that appeared and stayed for a while with me....