Poem Number 1

A Sad Child

You're sad because you're sad.
It's psychic. It's the age. It's chemical.
Go see a shrink or take a pill,
or hug your sadness like an eyeless doll
you need to sleep.

Well, all children are sad
but some get over it.
Count your blessings. Better than that,
buy a hat. Buy a coat or pet.
Take up dancing to forget.

Forget what?
Your sadness, your shadow,
whatever it was that was done to you
the day of the lawn party
when you came inside flushed with the sun,
your mouth sulky with sugar,
in your new dress with the ribbon
and the ice-cream smear,
and said to yourself in the bathroom,
I am not the favorite child.

My darling, when it comes
right down to it
and the light fails and the fog rolls in
and you're trapped in your overturned body
under a blanket or burning car,

and the red flame is seeping out of you
and igniting the tarmac beside you head
or else the floor, or else the pillow,
none of us is;
or else we all are.

Margaret Atwood

To be honest, I chose this poem because a senior student directed me to a well known author.
So I didn't expect very much from this poem. But then when I read it, it was speaking to me directly. This poem, I think, is saying that everyone feels like they are not the favorite at least once in their life. So don't be so sad. It is very embarrassing for me to say this, but there was once in my life when I thought that everyone hated me, I don't now. This poem just told me that I am not the only one who feels that way, so don't be so depressed.

I like this poem. I think it can speak to anybody of any age.