call for love

there is a shy little animal
who  hovers in the corner of her cage,
cowers,
abused,
beaten for every innocent thing

toes in puddles,
picking up worms and ants,
touching her own body,
saying words she didn't know had other meanings,
not valuing algebra,
not wanting to sit still,
not sitting still,
not eating her peas,
breaking her mother's china,
spilling milk,
falling in the mud
in her nice clean clothes,
being too loud,
being honest,
having feelings

oh you sweet sweet child,
come dear one,
come,
sit on my lap,
let me hold you forever,
you have never done one thing wrong
in your life