Witness. Poem by Terry Collett

The child looked
From parent
To parent,
Took in the
Raised voices,
The angered

Features, the
Long pointing
Fingers now
Jabbing the
Air, the way
She was so

Overlooked,
Not really
There, some small
Entity
Standing by
The back door,

Wondering
If the peace
Would ever
Come or if
Like the day
Before it

Went on for
Ever more.
She lifted
A hand, gave
A pleading
Gaze, murmured

A small phrase,
Wishing it
Would end and
Be peaceful
Like former
Happy days.