Kinder – Poem

Die kinder playing outside.
Their shouts permeate the 
garten. Das kind, blonde pigtails, 
can’t join in their games. 
She takes her hand off the window,
little fingers leaving
fingerprints on the glass.

She takes up her position at the front of the klassenzimmer,
students comprised of stuffed one-eyed teddybären 
and dolls missing limbs. She holds up a
book and opens her mouth to speak.
No words come out. She mouths soundlessly.
The single brown eye of a one-eyed teddybär
looks her straight in the eye. 
She shudders.