Mom Today Stranger Tomorrow

A poem about being a foster parent

Angel

Saint

Strength

Words tossed around meant to bolster

Anger

The system that fails kids each day

Visits that continue between predator and prey

Protocols they say are meant to help the children, but prolong their suffering

Drugs and drink leave permanent marks on tiny hearts

Joy

In reading books before bed

Snuggles on the couch

Watching that movie for the thousandth time

Piggy backs and horsie rides

Camping, hiking, climbing, exploring

Imagining the future

Despair

Canceled visits

No-shows

Children asking when they can go home

Not knowing the response

Seeing irreparable damage done that will never be fixed

Not bothering to learn our names, mom and dad worked last time

Peace

Mother and child rightfully united

Blood steps up when no one else would

Sacrificed are the vices rather than the children

Seeing little faces years later

Phone calls on birthdays

Cards with their smiling faces in the mail

Heartbroken

Hearing little ones cry at night, not knowing how to help

Babies clinging to the surrogate over flesh and blood

Loving them as our own

Having to pack their suitcase

Time and time again

Watching the van pull away

Never knowing where their path will lead

Waves of grief

Excitement

At first steps

First words

First lost tooth

Sorrow

Last hugs

Last book read

Final farewells

Mom today

Stranger tomorrow