Newsletter: Favorite Articles

Have You Ever
By Esther Hoffman

Have you ever opened wide your door
And met terror eye to eye?
Have you held his trembling body?
Have you rocked him whiles he cries?

Have you clutched a single garbage bag
That holds everything he owns?
Have you seen his trepidation
As he moves into your home?

Have you ever been a witness
To the toll maltreatment takes?
Not through Sunday papers,
But touched it face to face?

Have you guarded the dark secrets
That little ones dare to share?
Has your heart been crushed and broken
By the demons living there?

Have you tried to answer questions,
For which no answers lie?
Have you turned your head and looked away,
So he doesn't see you cry?

Have you fumbled with the band-aid
To heal a heart left bare?
Have you pulled from depths with measure,
Some bit of you to share?

Have you heard him tell of siblings
Whose names he does not know?
Have you listened when he tells you,
"They get names when they grow?"

Don't tell me that you understand
Until you do your part,
And carry living cast-a-ways
Forever in your heart.

You ask for a decision,
Does he go or does he stay?
He'll stay in my heart 'til heaven
He moves to some bright day.

Esther Hoffman, Social Worker
Adoption and Consultation Unit
Division of Children and Family Services
(715) 365-2515
hoffmep@dhfs.state.wi.us