[ NaPo 2017 ] Have You Seen This Child?

  
On my daily walk  
I picked it out of the gutter---  
a discarded milk carton;  
 
noticed your photo printed  
on the backside in unflattering ink  
not your best profile shot either  
 
I felt bad for you  
how you were used  
up and tossed away
as if trash by your
"friends"  
 
aware from the neighborhood  
telephone game parents  
played over hedges  
 
that not only did you fall  
in with a bad crowd  
you fell hard and fast  
bruising your ego  
 
If you are still out there, maybe  
you can find your way back  
with your head held high  
 
I'm not going to hold my breath  
 
given that your Daddy is the Milkman;  
he custom printed and distributed  
these cartons at your request  
 
just to see if our gang missed you