It's difficult to say for certain what the poem is trying to convey without more context, but here are some possible interpretations:
* The Scream of Shortened Childhood: This phrase could refer to the feeling of innocence and joy being abruptly cut short by the harsh realities of growing up. The "scream" could represent the pain and frustration of losing the carefree days of youth.
* Pierced by Sound: The "piercing" could be a physical sensation, perhaps a loud noise or a sudden shock that shatters the peace of childhood. It could also be a metaphorical piercing, meaning something has deeply affected the child's emotional state.
* The Power of Memory: The "scream" could be a memory, a vivid recollection of a traumatic event or a moment of intense emotion that has stayed with the speaker long after childhood. The "piercing" could represent the way that memory continues to affect their present life.
To truly understand the poem, we need more information. What are the other lines in the poem? What is the overall tone?
If you can provide more details, I might be able to offer a more specific interpretation.