WITH PLEADING EYES

Sadness speaks.
Through her dark brown eyes.
Wanting to reach out. Protect. Love.
Keep all children safe.
Her lips. Have lost their smile.
Lost. When she sees hatred.
Born into a vulnerable. Innocent child.
Where bigotry. Overtakes love.
Anger. In place of happiness.
Is this what society now teaches?
A child who witnesses hatred.
Will only know hatred.
With questioning eyes.
She wonders why.
Children are so often used.
In despicable ways!!
Where was society.
When they were thrown.
Into the “lion’s den?”
Where were those who said they cared?
In reality. Looked the other way!!
Children internalize painful emotions.
With adverse outcomes. Often irreversible.
What future do they have?
Living in a world.
That won’t reach out?
Protect. Keep them safe?
All children have rights.
The right to love. Be loved!!
To be a free spirit.
Without convictions.
Able to be frolic happily.
To just be a CHILD!!
When? How? Was all that lost?
Are we able to find the strength.
Courage. To say no to hatred.
That purges into their lives?
With pleading eyes.
She begs you.
“Please! Don’t let the children down.”