Hiding Place

by Betty Jo Hilger

He sits staring through me, as though I don't exist

Pain emanating from his splintered soul

From sweetly formed face, desolated eyes reflect

Fearful cowering alarm in his heart

Rejecting the world and all who could hurt again

He's built a wall from sore isolation

Shaping a room, a private padded shelter

Projecting a deceptive vacancy

Huddled scared, he has scaled the mountainous terrain

And taken refuge in rocks of despair

Hidden

I cannot reach him

He is alone

Terrified, I search the skies for answered pleas

Struggling through tears flooding my courage

Feeling his agony, his loneliness, and fear

I flinch from what my baby has endured

If only I could go back and reverse the time

To take his place, his part, his pain,

I would

Instead, I chase his tortured soul, holding out love

Yearning to wrap him in my arms at night

I cry to the heavens to part the clouds of gloom

Which have covered his hope with misery

Stumbling on rocks, and the boulders strewn in his path

My knees are torn as I fall here in prayer

I cannot falter,

I will not give up my faith

I'll pound on the doors to his heart again

Until my strength has faded, and my breathing stops

I will climb through the mist repeatedly

My soul knows his hiding place and though he may run

I have faith I will reach him and hold him

One day

And his eyes will see my heart and feel my anguish

And my baby will no longer be alone

Safely

Light will release him

He will be free

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