Learned behavior

[Leanne]

She stood in front of the pram
repeatedly smacking
into an unseen cry.
Greasy hair and dirty clothes
her body moved in a way
that hinted at issues -- this is the only word I have "issues" with -- would like to see something concrete rather than policy-speak
and sheltered housing.

No eye contact or opinion,
he was somewhere else
shrinking into the shopping center, -- looks weird with the US spelling, especially since "shopping centre" isn't what Americans would call it, I believe -- I'm blaming your Yankocentric autocorrect 
watching the automatic doors
in crisis.

I caught her hand
holding on at the wrist,
she came back from behind her eyes,
a sail boat emerging from a storm.

Its nappy was full -- perhaps you'd consider a bit of a list here -- nappy full, sick-covered clothes -- to avoid issues that people are having with the pronoun
clothes covered in sick,
how could I explain what a child needs
to a mother that needed the same?

I know this woman.  I see her every week, but she has a different face each time. I do what I can, but you can't educate a ghost.

Sometimes they stay long enough to become flesh.  Those are good days.