by Aimee Rae Ellington

MIXED MESSAGES

MIXED MESSAGES

MIXED MESSAGES

Dinner is served.

"All is well."

All is not well!

"Stop whimpering! You are fine!"

I am NOT fine.

NO, I’M IN PAIN!!!

"Sit down and eat your supper!"

It hurts to sit down

Can’t you tell

Didn’t you hear my screams

Can’t you feel my PAIN???

"Clean up your plate.

Don’t you appreciate how hard your mother worked,

How good she is to fix such a nice meal for you?"

I can’t eat.

I think I’m going to throw up!!!

"Shame on you,

you naughty little girl,

not showing appreciation

for all your mother does for you!"

APPRECIATION

Mother, where are you?

Where are you when I need you?

Don’t you hear my cries?

I need YOU

I want YOU

I want love,

Not food.

All is not well.

But who will hear my cries?

Who will respond to my pain?