The Child Has Gone

Paul Bell

The child has gone

Such a long time

They searched everywhere

But something told them

The child has gone

They started looking inwards

Watching expressions

Looking for that clue

So strange, nothing

The child has gone

Days turned to weeks

Nothing

Nationwide alert

Calls came in, including the cranks

The child has gone

The search died down

Talk spread

Children stayed indoors

Fear became the byword

 

She watched from within the large tree

Her secret hiding place

It was fun

The earth collapsed, pulling her under

She tried to scream

Too late

The child has gone.

  • Author: Paul Bell (Pseudonym) (Offline Offline)
  • Published: June 9th, 2026 08:22
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 8
  • Users favorite of this poem: peto
Comments +

Comments3

  • sorenbarrett

    A wonderful poem with a powerful message that can be taken multiple ways depending on you point of view. One parents should watch more closely, two the world is a dangerous place children need close supervision, three the child in playing a joke had it backfire and justice was served. I prefer to see it as a most unfortunate set of circumstances that should be shared with other children to avoid future problems. Well done

    • Paul Bell

      Yeah, sometimes parents should look through the childs eyes.
      Everything is to be investigated when you're a child, and sadly danger lurks.

      • sorenbarrett

        A difficult balance to be a parent.

      • peto

        You tell a story like no other on here paul
        This one is captivating
        My fav line rather worryingly is
        "Including the cranks "
        Magic

        • Paul Bell

          Cranks, what would we do without them.

        • Thomas W Case

          Powerful and pognant.



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