Sticky Fingers

by Jenni Marie   Feb 25, 2014


Whenever I see little boys
painting with mommy
or making sandcastles in
the park with daddy,

whenever I hear a
toddler's infectious giggle
or see an advertisement
for lightning mcqueen,
whenever I see peppa pig
socks for sale
or thomas the tank engine
comes on tv

...my heart hurts.

and when I hear mommy's
complaining about their lack of
sleep, or daddy's
protesting they don't
want another
round of football,

anger rises within me.

I'd give anything to be
woken at 3am
by you trying to
sneak into my bed
or to find sticky
fingerprints all over
the couch or to be
worn out from
chasing you around
the park for three
hours solid.

I'd give anything to find
paint drops upon the flooring,
or to constantly trip over toys
that have been left out
and to hear you chatter incessantly
about everything that's important
to a three year old.

Because your empty room and this
quiet house, the lack of sticky fingerprints
across all the furniture, the uninterrupted
nights of sleep, all only serve to remind me

that you're not here with me.

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Latest Comments

  • 10 years ago

    by Hellon

    I'm looking at my glass sliding door right now with the many finger marks of little ones coming in and out and suddenly I don't want to wipe them off. This is such a heartbreaking read Jenni...I guess things are still up in the air but...keep your head up eh? An untidy house, sleepless nights and little sticky finger marks will always win over a silent home...you will get him back hun so...don't give up ....

  • 10 years ago

    by Beautiful Soul

    I believe this poem is about a women who is overwhelmed with so much emotion. Her memories are in the brain of a happier time and now they are all gone and she is left with nothing at all. I do like how this is like a story as well. At the start this person is grieving and it's difficult because every time at every turn it seems like each family is a reminder. I liked howyou paid attention to the smallest of details that a child goes through. I really loved the title as well. It goes well with the poem. The ending is well too. It seems like the pperson finally broke down. Their heart is filled with hope for the return of their child but in the end they know they are not coming back. This is very simply worded but the message hurts your heart. Well done

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