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