A Dry Well No Longer by @_cwconsulting

The too-bright florescent lights hum

as you lie in your plastic bin – a bed?

Your body, yet unscathed by sunlight, is exposed,

save a tiny diaper and a cloth for padding.

I shiver slightly, the body's way of warming.

Seeing you without clothes, I understand why you wail.

Listening to you I am still amazed.

How can that sound come from you?

No bigger than my hand

but your cry pierces my ear – my heart.

Why do the nurses take their time?

Just strolling around the room

as these poor kids cry.

Hungry, tired, dirty, lonely, cold?

Do something!

I look down again at your flailing form,

wild and full of life – only hours old.

I want to reach out and touch you,

let you know that I am here.

Someone who loves you.

Someone who cherishes you.

Someone devoted to you.

I reach out towards you, pausing

your arm no wider than my finger.

So fragile a body – a life.

I'm nervous.

I'm scared.

But you grab my finger with your minuscule hand,

pull it to your cheek,

and stop crying.

No words needed to be spoken.

No letters transferred to paper.

Our love was simply present

and connected through a simple touch.

And from somewhere deep within

emotions that had become memory

exploded once more.

Tears of joy, tears of hope

tears of sadness, tears of understanding

tears of expectations, tears of pride.

You brought forth water

from a well that was once dry.

Name: Charles Williams

Place of residence: Schererville, IN

Your favourite quote: "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."

Your one wish for the world: That all students, regardless of location, race, age, etc..., have access to a high-quality education.