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Open Poetry #6
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hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

0 posted 2000-02-29 09:08 PM


~Fourteen Children ~

Fourteen children died today
I know that fact is true
I read it in a newspaper
A small article hid from view

It wasn’t a front page story
But on the pages in between
Hidden there so cleverly
Not open to be seen

Fourteen children died today
In the US by a gun
Nine by homicide, four by suicide
And by accident was one

Children killing children
Because of differences in views
And children dying at their own hands
I find this front page news

Tomorrow fourteen more shots will ring
Fourteen more kids will die
And I pull my own kids closer
As I bow my head and cry

Fourteen children will die today
Before the setting of the sun
Oh dear Lord, I beg of you
Don’t let my child be one




 Have you ever noticed
That the words...
"Goodbye"
"I'm sorry"
"I love you"
Are so easy to pronounce
...Yet so hard to say
~Javan

© Copyright 2000 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved
Tara Simms
Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244
Honea Path, SC USA
1 posted 2000-02-29 09:20 PM


Ruth, this is every parent's prayer.  But with danger at every corner, how on earth do we keep them safe?
RufffRyder
Member
since 2000-02-25
Posts 143
<------Over There------>
2 posted 2000-02-29 09:21 PM


And until something is done it will continue to happen everyday.
Such a sad but true statement you`ve made with this one.
Thank you for reposting. This is a subject that can`t be put aside till someone elses child dies.
Thank you for such sad but well written read Hoot_Owl.

HelmutB
Senior Member
since 2000-01-06
Posts 964
Canada
3 posted 2000-02-29 10:23 PM


Ruth you know how much this poem has touched me when I first layed eyes on it. I wish there would be something we could do.
You did so well on this my heart still cries for the children that die everyday.
Hugs and love

 The ability to describe life with words is similar to painting a picture; both can be powerful tools.


Manchester
Junior Member
since 2000-02-28
Posts 15

4 posted 2000-03-01 12:04 PM


Your poem touches closly to me, and on such a sensitive subject.  I attend one of these schools that has had a gunman incident.  Edinboro PA.  A teacher, a friend, of which I knew on a first name basis, was shot at a dance by a kid I knew (Andrew Wurst).  This is a great piece of work you have put together here.  But if you want to protect your kids, teach them to respect, tolerate, and accept all kids of all lifestyles.  This rash of gun incidents has been spawned from the fact that base humans fear whom and what they do not understand.  So they try to purge the unwanted from their social ranks.  And these 'misfits' eventually have no other option.

It is good to see that parents like yourself still reach out and try to teach acceptance to their children.  You are a saint.

Guns do not kill people, ignorant parents do.  And you are one of the most enlightened mothers i have ever met.  Keep the hope and never give up.


---------<--@

[This message has been edited by Manchester (edited 03-01-2000).]

Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
5 posted 2000-03-01 12:04 PM


The real tradedy is no one hears the voices of the children till they're expressed in violence.  Somewhere, somehow, society is gonna have to realize the problems start with the parents.  Just my opinion.  Sad poem, Ruth.  Every parents prayer.


Michael

tracie66
Member Elite
since 2000-01-18
Posts 4713
Australia
6 posted 2000-03-01 02:14 AM


Ruth it's sad that this is our reality, I have the same prayer for my daughter as she is approaching her teens and I hope she will be okay out there in the big wide world.

 Keep all the windows of your mind open
Anne Rooks

BSC
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-02-04
Posts 2919
New York, USA
7 posted 2000-03-01 07:43 AM


Hoot - It is so, so sad that a beautiful poem such as this even has to be written.  As a nation we need to get back the values that we were raised with.  Families need to be families, they need to know what their children are doing, and they need to be there for them.  Children need their parents guidance, without it.....good people like you feel a need to write poems like this.  As Ruff said, how many more will have to die before something is done?  God help us all.
Lost Dreamer
Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464
Somewhere near the Rainbow
8 posted 2000-03-01 07:56 AM


Ruth, As always your poetry is so thoughtful and full of your beautiful heart. Makes me think this poem should be on the front page of all newspapers and maybe at least it could wake some people up before it's to late.
Honeybee
Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-26
Posts 5372
Ontario, CANADA
9 posted 2000-03-01 08:32 AM



Ruth, this is so touching.  Sadly, this is a universal worry among all.  Every poem you craft is a masterpiece and should be read by everyone here.  Thank you for writing this poem, it is a sad delight to read.  

Take care,
Melissa Honeybee  

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
10 posted 2000-03-01 10:31 AM


Thank you everyone for reading this and for your kind replies...perhaps some day we won't have to worry any more  
WhtDove
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245
Illinois
11 posted 2000-03-01 10:43 AM


Ruth this still touches me as deeply as it did the first time!
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