Once Monday comes I'm going to nominate this piece because it's too strong not to have a chance to be seen by many.

Like Mori has said this poem is great, wow. It is a wonder how people can write such small lines yet put so much meaning and imagery in them. This seems to be about a timeframe about life, going from 5 years old to 20 years old. But in between it all there is a lot of pain that you have went through. I love here how you tell a story through each stanza and really they could be formed into their own poem. The imagery here you show the reader how you were feeling in each part. That to me makes this poem brilliant, and the way you don't have to use metaphor until the end, and even then it is not a lot. You have so much meaning throughout this. wonderful write. 5/5

Do you know what - there are many people in this world who will read this and not truly understand what its real meaning is.... and then there are many people who will know exactly what you mean, and will feel comforted that they are not the only one going through this, and also relieved that you have worded it so clearly in a way they would struggle to express.

I think everything you have mentioned is correct, it rings true, one day you are small and vulnerable, and life starts to deal you unfair cards, and before you blink you are suddenly an adult, but feel like you are still small and vulnerable. It is like you miss out on the "growing up" that other children seem to have had, and perhaps there will always be that sense of loss, and longing for what could have been, and like you rightly state ... Should have been.

I like the short form again, but to be honest, I was too involved reading this poem that I didn't see it as a form at all.

Really powerful write.
Thank you for sharing :)

P.s your title is a perfect match!!

Wish I had noticed this earlier so I could have nominated it!

Judging Comment:

This took me down memory lane...from birth to
adult hood mothers are the ones who give us
courage, protect us as well as teach us the right
path to follow. However old we are the moment
a mother places her hand or embrace us, the
childlike feeling emerges. This made me very sad
to read for I miss my mother dearly at the same
time this Haiku has captured the sentiments a child feels I each stage & situation...touching.

You really are a very clever writer. You are able to do so much with so little - you don't waste any space in your work.