I hold you <br />tenderly <br />between my hands - <br />you must be about twelve. <br /> <br />Your hair <br />is neatly parted, <br />your eyes are bright <br />and beautifully set - <br />and yet <br />I know <br />how oft they spilled <br />when the children laughed. <br /> <br />How hard you tried <br />to be good. <br />To please <br />with pleases <br />and thank yous <br />the grownups <br />who scolded <br />when you couldn't read - <br />when you couldn't read the word. <br /> <br />Then I smile, <br />kiss the glass <br />and pop you back on the bookshelf.<br /><br />Alison Cassidy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/and-you-tried-so-hard-to-be-good/
