Giggles from the Visitation Room

Giggles from the visitation room


Giggles from the visitation room,
clock ticking, she knows
her time is almost up.
The child looks for momma.
Confused, he remembers this lady
is his momma too,
but not the one he's grown to know.
She’s not the one who kisses his boo-boos
or makes him breakfast in the morning.

She tries to remember to check his diaper,
doesn't know what kind of snacks he likes now,
out of practice, it seems.
She tosses a ball with him and reads him a book.
She even sits watching him, taking in subtle details.
She gets on the floor a time or two.
A year of missed visits
to make up before the clock
ticks the end of the visit.

The magnitude of this life's mistakes,
missed joys, so much sorrow,
will come back to her this night
in the dark, alone, with only herself to console her.
She'll weigh the consequences of her past
with the hope she will not lose him.
She'll treasure every smile, every hand held out to her.
She'll hope for a kiss or hug offered without request, but she settles
for a tickle, a razz on his belly, the sound of his laugh.

The social worker watches and listens
in a room with secret windows,
taking down the shows of affection, signs of frustration.
Its hard to be neutral when she has a son the same age.
She hopes for a sign of what the future will hold for this little boy.
and his mom.  Finding none, she settles for a smile
as she listens to giggles from the visitation room.
Clock ticking, she knows
their time is almost up.

SWPoet



About The Clock Ticking reference:
Note: There is a law called the Adoption and Safe Families Act or ASFA which states that after 12-15 months of a child being in foster care, the Child Welfare Department (DHR in our state) must file a petition to terminate parental rights or give good reason why this is not being done (much older child, mother making significant progress).  However, if a parent has had their rights terminated on other children, this process can actually start before 12 months if no progress has been seen at that time.  This allows children to be freed much earlier for adoption, although it could still take 2-3 years from entry into foster care until finalizing the adoption.  If you have any interest in foster care, ie. being a foster parent, please contact your local human resources agency for your county.  It is a thankless job, except someday the children in your home will live to be thankful for you.