Poetry About Life

Disconnect

A poem about emotional detachment

May More on Nightcafe

My beginning taught me to withdraw

and disconnect

Born then torn from my mother's breast
Thrust into another’s arms
Her womb hadn’t been my home
I was just another mouth
Money to put in her purse

so I disconnect

Finally adopted
She acted like I was her flesh and blood
Gave me unconditional love
But the damage had been done
Making it safer for me to check out

and disconnect

Mum taught me about love
Yet as I grew and others
declared their devotion
Then behaved erratically
It was easier not to react

just disconnect

“You’re so cold and unfeeling
I think you must be frigid
Eyes that show love one minute
And disdain the next”
Whine — criticise — put me in a box