Those are pearls

You were fifteen,
going on three,
they said.

You only just moved here,
and you liked cars,
they said.

But what possessed
you to go out
through that door, child?

Did you not feel the cold?

The news spread fast,
we searched
high and low,

until we found that
lonely track of bare feet
running through the snow.

And we will never know
what made you go
out on that ice, girl.

And we will never forget
the look on the officer's
face as he called it a night.

And you stayed down there
alone until the
divers came back next morning.

Were you scared, little girl?

The freezing cold
and dazzling snow,
so cruel, when

you are fifteen, going on three,
and no one there to tell you,
put your boots and mittens on,

and stay away from deep dark waters.




Poetry by Åsa Andersson
Read 813 times
star mini Editors' choice
Written on 2014-01-16 at 22:19

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StillHoppin The PoetBay support member heart!
Wow. I really don't have any other words for it, just

Wow.
2014-02-06



I applaud this excellent piece of such heartbreaking sadness and vivid imagery. I continue to come back to read, wishing for a better ending to reality.
2014-02-01



Such an original and touching poem, I keep reading it over and over again. So well done!
~Ashe
2014-01-20


Editorial Team The PoetBay support member heart!
This text has been chosen to be featured on the home page of PoetBay. Thank you for posting it on our poetry website.
2014-01-20



a very tender portrait
a framescape if i could say

best
2014-01-19


Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
I read this yesterday but was unable to comment as it affected me quite deeply 'were you scared, little girl?' - haunting

Elle x
2014-01-18


Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
A stark, perfect poem.
2014-01-18


Chaucer Whethers The PoetBay support member heart!
icy cold poem, deep dark imagery.
2014-01-16