The Sunshine Child
Deanna Schroeder
Ryan was a sunshine child
yellow hair and blue eyes
like the day after a rain
at 3
Leukemia came
and he couldn't spell it
but it meant needles and vomit
until yellow hair fell in clumps
to the green shag carpet of home
or white hospital sheets
Ryan sang songs
pale and thin
and wore a green stocking cap
to cover his hairless head
and avert the stares
of normal children
who never teased
but never wanted to play either
Ryan smiled
and played when he could,
watched fireman shows on T.V.
and got a yellow, big button tape recorder for Christmas
in October.
Ryan died soft
after the sickness
that he couldn't spell
left him too tired
to watch the fireman shows
and sing
but he sang at his funeral
from his yellow tape recorder
for his mommy and his doctor friends loud and almost happy . . .
"You are my sunshine
my only sunshine
you make me happy
when skies are gray
you'll never know dear
how much I love you
please don't take
my sunshine
away."
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