The teacher showed this image to her third-grade class a few days before spring break.
"What do you think it means?" she chirped.
From a cacophony of laughter, and a crowd of pronouncements:
{"That's dumb." "She is broken." "Are the eggs bleeding?" "It is about space travel." "She's an alien." "She's hot." "She's dreaming." "It is a bad dream." "She's allergic to dogs." She lost her job and can't take her dog with her." "Is she homeless?" "She is queen of the egg people." "It's the end of the world." "She is searching for food." "It's about coloring eggs."}
Leslie's thin voice emerged and, in a matter of moments, prevailed.
"It's about my mother and crack, and how she can't take care of me anymore. You can pretend that I am the puppy watching her go away."
The teacher moved on to the next image, while making a note to ask for Leslie's records at the end of the day.
Written for The Mag: Mag 112 that inspired with the above photo prompt
(image by djajakarta, Egg Island).
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A heart-breaking story. With some potential for hope. So beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteCool, definitely one way to get help! I can relate, thanks.
ReplyDeleteFrom the charming to the cutting cold truth, kids know how to tell it, as does this poem. So many broken eggshells out there. Well-said, Lydia, and unfortunately, all too well represented in the real world.
ReplyDeleteoh my- and that's some child's reality for sure. Excellent observation on todays childhood.
ReplyDeleteI am glad my kids don't have kids.
On a lighter note I thought of you here:
http://kathewsnapaday.blogspot.com/2012/04/photo-995-and-9975-2012.html
Powerful write.
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ReplyDeleteThat makes sense of the whole thing, and no mistake. Thank you for enlightening us! ♥
ReplyDeleteThe crack that appeared did indeed seem to make her disappear , thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow. Just when I was laughing about "queen of the egg people", you pulled the rug out, big time.
ReplyDeletePowerful piece.
ReplyDeleteRob-bear~ Thank you. You are right...that potential for hope is so important.
ReplyDeleteizzy~ Yes, cheers to those who seek help in both obvious and more quiet ways.
hedgewitch~ Honesty has been a driving force in my life, and children (plus my own inner child) have been the models.
Kathe~ I'm glad my kids don't have kids either.....wait! I don't have kids! Guess that's extra insurance of sorts.
I am anxious to read your post and will make the rounds tomorrow.
Sue~ Thanks much.
Jinksy~ I'd like to say "my pleasure" but it would have been nice to see something else in the image! I have not yet read anyone else's magpies and will do so tomorrow.
Kutamun~ Indeed, it did! Thank you.
Fireblossom~ Well, we can just move back to "queen of the egg people" and feel better now, can't we? :)
Tumblewords~ Appreciate your comment.
Wow. There I was, thinking, how cute (much like the teacher, perhaps), and then whammo. Reality. Reality hurts. Sad that we need to be reminded. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteVery readable and real!
ReplyDeleteds~ Whammo is indeed a bum deal, for society as a whole. :(
ReplyDeleteSuko~ I thank you.
wow what a tale you know....bet he did not expect that one....def evocative lydia
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