A frowning man in blue uniform
Spoke to Mom in a low voice
When they finished I was allowed in
Like I had a choice

The man walked us in past rows of cells
That half-dead people were lying behind
Staring at the ceiling and muttering
They appeared to be deaf and blind

At the end of the hall was a blue door
The uniformed man walked us in
At the same time an escort brought in a man
Who looked unshaven and thin

The uniformed workers stood in opposite corners
A black marble table sat in the middle of the space
Mom sat down behind it, and so did the man
A wide smile lit up his face

I sat beside Mom, facing this stranger
The one who was supposed to love me
He leaned forward on his elbows with that toothy grin
But his eyes were all I could see

Piercingly blue with small grey flecks
Like mine, but not as bright and more cold
Never have I seen such a happy face
Look so tortured and old