Poetry Corner: “Child of Thalidomide”

She was a forcefully deformed little girl
thanks to Health Canada approval of the drug
the father could not bear the torture anymore so
he walked out the door
leaving the sobbing mother on the floor

She grew strong and tall with a beautiful face
and a razor sharp intellect
except for that slight misfortune
All she wanted was to be loved by a man
love was sought to be found
the fantasies of an ideal man
caused social workers to exclaim “damn”
but how could they understand when most her age had found a mate
leaving her an agonized fate
the year increased
her face creased
and she doggedly searched
there was no one
goggling eyes fear and guilt in the crowds and bars
no love there

a police operation recovered her broken body
from under the bridge

All she wanted as some love
forget the sympathy
and the endless good humoured and well intentioned pity

“poor thing” said the police officer in charge
“Why did she have to do a thing like this?”

Robert K. Stephen


Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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