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Open Poetry #2
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It Only Takes A Second
| Open Poetry #2 |
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It Only Takes A Second |
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Lucie Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077Houston 
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If we’re in the store and you get lost and Mommy you can’t find I’ll meet you in the back corner. Told him this a thousand times. I remember him, so engrossed, in the toys upon the shelf. I wish that I could turn back time, would not have left him by himself. The headlines read "A child lost, the mother walked away" they show pity, but within their eyes I can read just what they’d say. How could you leave a child of 4 to wander off alone? But I only left him for a second, 10 feet away to use the phone. Now the headlines read "Child found, funeral Saturday at 5" if I had looked for him right then he might still be alive. But I rushed back to the corner waiting there for him to come by the time the manager came to help… the awful deed was done. I began to write this poem trying to feel what she might feel, but the hurt I felt deep in my heart became to me too real. Many times I’ve walked away and left my kids to play. You tell them stand right here by me, turn your back, do they obey? It only takes a second for a nightmare to begin. When a child’s lost so many times we blame the parents in the end. Why weren’t they watching? Couldn’t they have done something more? So many times we criticize what we ourselves have done before. So many dangers await the young. Many children who are lost. We as parents owe it to them to keep them safe at any cost. It might take two more minutes or some effort on our part. But as parents we must protect what we hold closest to our heart. Perhaps someday I will have the strength of heart to end this poem. Until then.. this is what you get.. no closure. Not even close to what you might feel for the loss of a child. |
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| © Copyright 1999 Lucille Dobbins - All Rights Reserved | |||
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juanita Member
since 1999-08-13
Posts 68Los Angeles, CA, USA |
Lucy, what your poem says is so true, it only takes a second. When my son was 2 years old, I was shopping at a department store. I turned my head away for a second, he was sitting in the shopping cart. I got hold of my daughters hand, she was hidding under the dresses. When I turned around he was gone. I run towards the service department and as I run, the woman that had him panic and pushed away the shopping cart so hard, she almost hit me. I will remembered what I felt for as long as I live and maybe just maybe some day I will be able to put it in a poem. thank you for your poem it is like you said, there are no words to tell of what a mother feels when something like that touches your life. w |
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Justbleu Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329Oregon, Originally From Alaska :) |
Wow!!! Incredible poem!! Makes me want to cry!! It scares me to think about the dangers out there, it makes me wonder if someday I will actually want to have children of my very own!! It is a dream of mine, but it scares me to think of all the dreadful things that can happen to them!! *This one is going back on up to the top* Thank You for sharing.... Justbleu  ------------------ "Is she living in a dream, Is she playing make-believe???" |
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Lucie Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077Houston |
Justbleu, children are such a joy. But the world is such a frightening place. Its a hard decision sometimes. Jaunita, I am happy for you that you got your son back before anything dreadful could happen. Thank you for sharing your story. |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Lucie......Can't even imagine that kind of nightmare?.....Great work sweets.... |
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Iloveit Senior Member
since 1999-09-02
Posts 1121NM |
lucie, great writing, and I understand the nonclosure completely, for a parents watch over thier kids is never done. I raised mine, but they must have had an angel on thier shoulders, for we got through some tight spots unharmed...when mine was 2 he was hiding in the dresses too, and I went around the other side of the rack to get him and he wasn't there....I found him all the way down the mall, unharmed, just looking around....but your poem reminds me of what could have been had he not had an angel watching out for him. And it also asks the question why? because certainly the children who are taken are loved, why one and not another?.....sigh great writing! |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Lucie, Well done, you touched upon a tender spot. This is a continuing theme and it will be forever and a day. |
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Andrew Scott Member Elite
since 1999-06-24
Posts 2558Redlands,CA,USA |
A worthy read with a message for all. I've got two little ones myself and never do they leave my side. I don't even let them go in the front yard without mom or I in attendance. I've to often read the dreadful stories and heard the tragic end for those who look away that one split second. It's an unfortunate aspect of this world, but one we must accepts and protect against. Our children are worthy of our every concern and nothing is more important than their safety and well being. I bow to you and your efforts. |
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Elizabeth
Moderator
Member Ascendant
since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871Minnesota |
It really does not take that long for something awful to happen. You have said it very well Lucie. Thank you for posting it. ------------------ *Elizabeth* "Dwelt a maid belov'd and cherish'd by high and low, But with autumn leaf she perish'd, long time ago..." |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
A heartbreaking subject, Lucie. You handled it very well. There are no endings..... |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
I've felt that too, not in a major way but when you turn and for a second you can't see him, been there with those thoughts. How can you end the poem? The greatest of writer probably can't the depth of that emotion is too hard to put into simple words.. ------------------ Words that enlighten the soul are more precious than jewels. ~Isis~ |
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Lil-bit Junior Member
since 1999-08-03
Posts 29Tallahassee, Florida |
This poem hit home! Once while shopping with my mother in law (GRRRRRRRRRRRR) - she offered to watch my child while I was looking at a dress. I turned around and my 4 year old was GONE!!!!!!!!!!!! I went bezerk! My MIL pleaded total innocence and blamed it ALL on me that my child disappeared. My child was missing 20 minutes while I ran screaming like a banshee through the store looking for her. I found her in the toy aisle, safe and sound. She said, "Grandmother sent me here". Needless to say, I NEVER asked my MIL to watch my child while shopping EVER again. In fact, after that my husband NEVER trusted his mom again. The horror I felt those 20 minutes I'll NEVER forget. --------------------------------- Poem really touches the heart of what is REALLY felt. You really hit the nail on the head. Great job! |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Lucie This poem taught me something about you better than anything else you've written. You are an incredibly insightful, caring, understanding person. You looked beyond the child to see the mother, anmd her grief over her very human mistake. You have a terrific sense of wit, but you also have shown me an incredible sense of compassion and empathy. You've captured this subject so well. Another facet of Lucie with diamonds. |
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Lucie Senior Member
since 1999-06-20
Posts 1077Houston |
Long John.. I can not tell you how deeply your words touched me. I write my poetry sometimes, I guess thinking no one is really reading or paying attention to it. Your words showed me that I was wrong. Thank you so much. Especially now, when I really needed to hear some praise. |
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LngJhnAg Member Elite
since 1999-07-23
Posts 3508Boot+Kitty=Poetry in motion |
Lucie - does this mean you'll give up a sweater and stop thnking about fruit? Will you promise to protect me from those bully boys, Balladeer and Toerag? The praises were sincere, I read almost every post you write. I still chuckle over the goggles comments. |
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Sally S. Senior Member
since 1999-06-07
Posts 847Ohio |
Lucie, What could I add that the others have not all ready said? This was a heart-wrenching poem. I too, have two little ones and I always keep them close to me. Isn't it sad that we live in a society where you have to to fear the worst at all times? I could not begin to imagine the pain I would feel if someone ..... Oh my, I just can't. Powerful piece.....very emotional. |
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Alison
since 2008-01-27
Posts 9318Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy! |
This remains such a touching and true poem. Lucie, you don't come around much any more, but I have gotten to know you a bit through the poetry you shared so many years ago. Believe me, it is the worth the time to read your work. Thank you. Alison |
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