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A New Years Prayer For The Children
| Open Poetry #4 |
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A New Years Prayer For The Children |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA 
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New Years Prayer For The Children Battered, bruised and motionless She lays on sheets of white Tiny, frail, just two years old She fights for life tonight It’s New Years Eve, folks celebrate In chaos on TV screens The sound a contrast from the rhythm Of the life sustaining machines My hands they touch her body small My eyes they fill with tears I wonder how this child’s own mom Could steal away life’s years Another seizure racks her limbs Bloody gauze wraps her small head The word arrives, I prayed would not “There’s no hope, she is brain dead” At Twelve O’ one, the plug is pulled She takes her final breath A new year’s here and nothings changed Yet another child’s death When will the senseless slaying stop Of children meek and mild? Who will speak when they are gone? Shall we forget this child? Their future’s being stole away With war, abuse and crime Oh Lord, please let the killing stop Let this be the final time I pull the lifeless body close To pray a simple prayer That children can be children again And no longer live in fear *This is based on a true story. The body of the little girls one year old brother was found several days latter stuffed in a suitcase in a vacant lot. The mother was convicted of both deaths* In the US alone, tens of thousands of children are abused at the hands of their parents a year, thousands die as the results of their injuries. My wish is that this coming year, we can make an impact on that number be it through community awareness or better parenting education. Ruth ------------------ "When you come to the edge of the light which is all you know. And are about to step off into the darkness that is unknown...Faith is knowing one of two things will happen...there will be something to stand on...or you will learn how to fly." -Unknown [This message has been edited by hoot_owl_rn (edited 12-01-1999).] |
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| © Copyright 1999 Ruth Kephart - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Elizabeth Santos Member Rara Avis
since 1999-11-08
Posts 9269Pennsylvania |
Ruth, Thank you for this poem This suject always tears me to the core You have expresses these realities well in your poem. And you have reminded me to pray again for the children Thank you, Ruth |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Artfully spoken, Ruth - Children suffer painfully - both physically and emotionally at the hands of inept parents. The ramifications are unending. I'm with you in your prayers, my friend... |
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Marilyn Member Elite
since 1999-09-26
Posts 2621Ontario, Canada |
Powerful Ruth. I have much I would like to say but have started over twice already. So many thoughts all jumbled in my brain. Great work my friend. |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
Nothing is more tragic, more heartwrenching than the death of child at the hands of violence, especially when the violence is committed by the hands that are suppossed to be the caregivers. Excellent piece, Ruth. Prayers are indeed needed. ------------------ Denise |
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Ohme Senior Member
since 1999-07-17
Posts 816Texas |
Been there, done that. 2 year old child wrapped up in a sheet was brought to me for examination to determine if there was any evidence of fractures in various stages of healing. Which would be further proof of parental neglect and brutality. In life I would have adopted this boy in a moment. Now dead even my prayers and tears wouldn't bring him back to life. I grieve over the state this world is in. |
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Lost Dreamer Member Elite
since 1999-06-20
Posts 2464Somewhere near the Rainbow |
Ruth, How sad a topic, but you relayed it with such strength and meaning. |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Thanks everyone for your comments...what a nice welcome back |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Well Welcome back! Come right in and knock us off our chairs with a fantastic, heartwrenching poem! (that's a good thing) This really is so sad to hear of things like this. Just makes me want to cry. A suitcase? Good Lord! I wish it would it stop too. It's so sad these little ones have to go through that! You know I join you in prayers to Ruth!!! |
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
I admire you for your choice of job my friend - brave work. And an excellent poem. |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Hoot - This is a heart-stopper. The vigil we keep must be intensified so that the little ones get to celebrate their lives to the fullest. Great work, lady. ------------------ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ noles1@totcon.com |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Yep dear nurse.....all ya gotta do is work ambulance, in a hospital, or sometimes, just see the little face to know how cruel this world, and some people can be...... |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
What a poignant plea... well done, Hoot! |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Just a word of thanks to everyone for reading and for your comments  |
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Willem Member
since 1999-11-18
Posts 139Inverness, FL, USA |
Let's have a moment of silence for the many little children that suffer such abuse and lack of love from their parents or others... ............................................ Amen. Willem |
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PhaerieChild Senior Member
since 1999-08-30
Posts 1787Aloha, Oregon |
This is soooo very touching. I think a moment of silence and a prayer for a better world are in order as well as actually doing something about it. As Pat Benatar sings "They shouldn't have to pay for their love with their bones and their flesh." This one hit me pretty hard. Very well written! ------------------ If you love me like music, I'll be your song. ~Heart~ Dreamboat Annie Shawna R. Holder Boise, Idaho |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Hoot, For everyone that cares 10,000 dispair. Thank you for writing this poem. |
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Isis Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-06
Posts 6296Sunny Queensland |
Such tragedy, so lovingly written Ruth. It's all too true at this time of year, we focus on ourselves and our families and forget these poor little souls and others in need as well. Thanks for a timely reminded, I am gonna make a few Christmas donations this year as we can afford it for once. Missed you hon ------------------ The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there IS to celebrate. ~Isis~ (Daughter of Mystery) |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Wow...thanks for all the great replies |
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RainbowGirl Member Elite
since 1999-07-31
Posts 3023United Kingdom |
On such a saddened night let hope continue the fight that no child live a life in fright and that peace be every child's right! HUGS ------------------ Yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream... |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
RG...thanks for the wonderful reply. May all our prayers come true this season |
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