Published on: 1/4/2013
Spirit Child
Upon "The Icarus Girl," by Helen Oyeyemi

A spirit child is just a child
In hunger, sleep and play
The spirit world is just a world,
A night within our day.

Whose is superstition?
Ghosts who moan and gods who chide?
A spirit child is just a child
Who plays a ground aside.

But do we dare return to life
And death in utter braid?
A spirit child is just a child
And yet we are afraid.

The Pentateuch its god of books
Rules distant and apart.
A spirit child is just a child
And skips within our heart.

While science offers faith
As proof in past for future ends,
A spirit child is just a child
And now she hopes we're friends.

But are we strong enough to bear
Our loved ones' certain death?
A spirit child is just a child
And strives beyond her breath.

I've no eye for spirit limbs
No ear for spirit voice
A spirit child is just a child
Unheeded through my choice.

Sometimes she tries to wear our flesh
And live a life anew
A spirit child is just a child
And wants a mother too.

Despite trespass she's innocent
For pain is not her art
The stricken mom is just a mom
Whose curse cleaves worlds apart.

I love my four true children so
But do I sometimes miss
The hundred spirit children
I abandon in my bliss?