My entry for Kaitlyn Sanchez’s annual writing contest, “Fall Writing Frenzy”. Enjoy! The photo is by Josh Hild on Pexels.com (One of 14 offered to writers as a prompt). I worked hard on this piece which is less child-focused than I had originally intended, but I think the theme is universal.

Sometimes I want to be alone. 

I don’t want anyone to “fix it.”

I don’t want to be told I am ok.

I don’t want to be told to smile.

I just want to be quiet and to think.

To be unjustly mad and sad and tired.

But…

Sometimes all I want is to be found.

I want someone to say “We have missed you.”

I want to know my being is enough.

I want to feel the weight of a warm hand 

Resting on my shoulder:

Holding space for my feelings,

When they’re too heavy for me to hold alone.

And…

If you see me by myself, 

It may be hard to know,

Do I step in or do I step away?

The line between alone and lonely can be nebulous.

Precarious as hammocks in the fall,

Which beckon but belie uncertainty.

Will you be welcomed with a swaying calm,

Or tossed into the unforgiving leaves?

So…

If there is no way to know: just be.

Let me decide what kind of space I need.

Like rustling branches whisper “I am here.”

And if I need you, I’ll extend my hand.

But if I don’t… I hope you’ll understand.

Melanie Kyer

September 24, 2023