Two cases have

Caught my attention

The teenager and

The disconnected mother

Not related to each other

But both gave me pause

The first because

She's always alone

And always on her smartphone

No more than 16

She wonders the grounds

Only looking up when

People come close

And to not crash into them

Today, I saw her family

For the first time albeit briefly

They appeared as uninspired as she

Don't understand why bring a teen

To a place like this

She is always in makeup

Her nails way too long

For someone her age

She's trying to grow up

Too quick and why?

We adults know

It's overrated

Hormones never stop

Being a bitch

Then there is the

Disconnected mother

Whose adorable little girl

Just wants love

Yet each time

She has tried holding her mom's hand

The woman jerked away

Like the child was diseased

Some people should not reproduce

Because having

The maternal instinct

Of a porcupine

Doesn't a good connection make

The little girl is no more than 5

If that

Yet her mother insists

On forcing her to play badminton

Without teaching, showing her

How to actually play

Standing behind her

Guiding her

Showing her, she can depend

On her mother for lessons

In life not just in a game

This cold woman rubbed me

The wrong way

Where is the father?

Grandparents?

Someone to show her love

Instead of constant rebuking

Neither makes sense

To me

But from the gaggle of people

They stand out the most

Somewhere,

Along the way

Basic lessons

In love and humanity

Failed both

The teenager &

The disconnected mother

Here's hoping

They find themselves

Before it is too late

With mistakes too far gone

And regrets forever

Life is a precious thing

Not to be wasted

Love is our creation

And our salvation