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Open Poetry #7
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mariee66
Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596
Recess, OfYourMind

0 posted 2000-04-19 02:42 PM


Venomous is their love--
Arsenic laced words
Linger in her wasting frame.
Essence of childhood lost
Revealing utter sorrow
Imbedded in innocent eyes.
Evening falls and with it
Shadows send her to cower in silence.  

Through years of agony
Effects of abuse stifle
And end her brief life.
Rolling in clouds sweetly singing
She sheds not another tear.

In memory of Valerie Smelser--a twelve yr old who was abused and beaten to death by her mother and mother's live-in boyfriend.  Valerie's body was found wrapped in a blanket and thrown in a ditch.  She was emaciated, naked, and covered with bruises.
Her story has touched me deeply, as it occured in my hometown.  
And so I say a prayer that there will never be another Valerie, that people will intervene and help these children who are too afraid to cry for help.

Marie~

© Copyright 2000 Marie E. - All Rights Reserved
Marina
Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245
Pickering, Ontario
1 posted 2000-04-19 02:52 PM


Marie this is truly a very sad story.  No one should have to live and die as Valerie did.  Thank you for making us aware of this poor soul and for posting so Valerie's life will not have been in vain.  Challenge well met!

Marina

mariee66
Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596
Recess, OfYourMind
2 posted 2000-04-19 03:17 PM


I hope you noticed it was an acrostic~
This one was hard...so much to say, you know~
Thank you, Marina~
Marie~

Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

3 posted 2000-04-19 04:56 PM


very beautiful dedication Mariee...
and your poem is very beautiful,as well,
a difficult subject made even more difficult by you choosing to do it acrostic..,
you did an excellent job.
take care, jm

 Well the sun sets gently on your shoulders
And it makes me want to touch you there.
And the light in your eyes makes me feel
Like there's something much better out there
Something kind...
And I know someday I might be looking around
Trying to find some purpose
Well purpose it can't be that hard to find
As long as I've got the wind...
The wind and your love to carry me.
vertical horizon



LoveBug
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697

4 posted 2000-04-19 05:53 PM


A beautiful poem, but such a sad story.

 "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde

mariee66
Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596
Recess, OfYourMind
5 posted 2000-04-19 10:26 PM


Thanks JM~
I appreciate your comments~

Thanks to you, too, LoveBug~

Marie~


Tara Simms
Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244
Honea Path, SC USA
6 posted 2000-04-19 11:00 PM


This is such a painful poem to read.  Your dedication brought tears to my eyes.  
Butterflies_dont_cry
Member Elite
since 2000-03-06
Posts 3733
Michigan
7 posted 2000-04-19 11:25 PM


A beautiful dedication to a beautiful little angel, she was placed in our care...not just her parents but everyone's, thank you for putting a name with the angel face and reminding us that this does happen in our towns and in our families, the children can't stop it WE have to.  Thank you for sharing your gift of caring and of writing.

 Hold me for yesterday
Kiss me for tomorrow
But love me for today.


netswan
Senior Member
since 2000-03-28
Posts 1369
Washington
8 posted 2000-04-19 11:40 PM


Marie, this is very well done, and a great
contribution to this cause.

It makes you wonder, how this stuff happens
and how it continues? ---this message,
made me cry for that poor little thing.

netswan

mariee66
Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596
Recess, OfYourMind
9 posted 2000-04-20 12:19 PM


Tara~
The thought of what happened to Valerie still brings tears to my eyes~

Butterflies_dont_cry~
It amazes me how people will choose to turn a blind eye when it comes to child abuse~
It also amazes me on how frequent children slip through the cracks of society~

netswan~
Thank you~

There is more about Valerie on the Net~
It took a little searching for me to find, but it's there...
Her whole tragic story~
If anyone has the time, please read her tale~

Marie~

A Romantic Heart
Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496
Forever In Your Heart
10 posted 2000-04-20 03:23 AM


Just aweful!!! the abuse!!! good poem!!
kaile
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Ascendant
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146
singapore
11 posted 2000-04-20 03:45 AM


very descriptive words and am impressed by the tremendous challenge you set yourself to.... ")

yes,may there not be another Valerie

mariee66
Senior Member
since 2000-01-30
Posts 596
Recess, OfYourMind
12 posted 2000-04-20 10:35 AM


RH and kaile~
Thanks much~

The website is as follows~ http://members.bellatlantic.net/~webmaster/index.htm

Marie~

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