When I’m Lonely
by Joyce Reid

I lie down on my bed;
No kitty there, just me.
My bird – he sweetly sings a song,
A welcome melody.

I curl up in a ball,
My covers gathered round,
I hug my darling teddy
He’s fuzzy, soft, and brown.

A tear falls slowly down my cheek,
Another soon will follow.
I have an awful feeling
My heart is very hollow.

I wish I could be carried
Into my mother’s arms:
The refuge freely given
That’s safe from all alarms.

I long to be held closely,
To be hugged and kissed and petted
And be spared from every dreary thought
That I have ever fretted.

I don’t want to be so lonely,
But be filled with bravery.
So to calm my aching spirit
I’ll jot down some poetry.