The Children We Taught to Disappear

Somewhere in America,

History is clearing its throat,

And nobody wants to hear the cough.


Somewhere in America,

A little girl is folding herself

Into the smallest version of survival.

Learning that silence can weigh less than a scream.


She is hiding.


Not because children play hide and seek.

But because grown people play God.

Because hate sharpened its teeth,

Put on a flag,

And called itself patriotic.


She writes.


Not because she dreams of being famous.

But because it’s cheaper than a gravestone.

Because every sentence whispers:

“If I disappear, don’t let my words disappear too.”


And somewhere, right here,

We walk past brick walls;

Past headlines;

Past each other;

Thinking that monsters wear uniforms from history books.


But monsters evolve.


They trade boots for boardrooms.

Slurs for slogans.

Chains for algorithms.

And suddenly prejudice sounds… Polite.


Tell me… How many attics are we building today?

How many children are shrinking themselves

To fit inside cupboards… borders… classrooms…

Their own skins?


How many diaries are being written

Because speaking aloud

Still feels too dangerous?


This isn’t just about one girl.

It’s about every heartbeat

That’s forced to apologise for existing.


It’s about every page

That had to become a witness 

Because people refused to be one. 


So don’t tell me “That was back then”.

History doesn’t repeat because it forgets…

It repeats because we do. 


And somewhere in America,

There’s still a child 

Waiting for grown-ups 

To prove they are adults.


So read the diary. 

Please. 

Read the silence. 

Read the spaces between the words,

Where fear learned to breathe. 

Then close the book. 


Not to end the story, 

But to make damned sure

That we never hand another child a pen 

When all they needed was a world

That didn’t ask them to hide.

(C)BobChristian

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About Bob W Christian

Bob W Christian has been writing poetry for more than 20 years. He started as a way to help to process his thoughts and emotions as an autistic man, and to address the impact of CPTSD. As he wrote, and slowly gained the confidence to share his poems, he was given incredibly positive feedback, which spurred him to write more. During that time, he has written six books, and had numerous guest publications in books and magazines around the world. His work has earned several accolades recently, including recognition in the Dark Poet’s Club 2025 competition. Alongside poetry, Bob enjoys photographing nature and birds, and is often praised for his keen eye behind the lens. (One of the official photographers Torbay Pride 26) A husband, father and grandfather, he regularly shares his observations, reflections and creative work through his personal blog, The Ramblings of Bob Christian.

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