public square, Grote Markt Bruxelles

The square buzzes—

polished shoes clack, briefcases click.

A nod here, a smirk there.

Underneath, a rasp—

small hands searching cobblestones,

eyes scanning for faces that never turned back.

The carousel’s tune plays faint,

a lullaby for someone else.

They brush it off.

A tailored coat settles on shaking shoulders.

The child sits quietly,

hidden inside the polished sheen.

.