Some Kids.

Some kids are just never gonna make it

Not in this life anyway

At the age of six

You just knew

This kid was destined

Seven, eight, nine

To leave before his time

When the news came through

They lined us up in two’s

Told us what we knew

No counselling in that school

No, no, not in the rules

They just said it was his time

Plus, hanging was a crime

Punishment by the lord up high

Striking from the sky

Hate to be in his shoes

When the angels take him through

Probably send him back

To relive the vicious attacks

Years later they made arrests

Some took the easy way out

Hanging it seems

From the heavy beams

Was the religious dream

Wonder if they’ll be forgiven

Up in heaven

Couple of hail Joes

For the fallen foes

They tell me this could never happen again

I was waiting for the amen

I passed the grave, today

Said the usual stuff

Some kids are just never gonna make it

Not in this life anyway

Not at the age of six, seven, eight, nine

But when we grew

We hung the few

Watched them die

An eye for an eye

An eye for an eye.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Your poem reflects my own observations about how young people seem to be more frustrated & depressed & suicidal these days, than I remember in my own youth. Sure, lots of us felt suicidal back in the day, but it wasn't the focal point of our attention, as it can be for many of today's youth. I agree with your poem, as stark & dire as this sounds, becuz some feel destined to succumb to hopelessness, whereas others are naturally buoyant. It's a weird fence to straddle, acknowledging a young person was never destined to survive . . . or is it our excuse & reassurance that nothing could've been done anyway *sigh!* Fondly, Margie

[Paul Bell]

I've got a river that runs past me. Every week you guarantee two young kids will drown themselves. I don't know if they can't cope with pressure, or they can't take criticism.

[Dave Brown]

I just heard somewhere that there has been an increase in attempted suicides by American youth
It likely reflects the failure of family and leads to the outcomes you have penned
A sorry situation

[Paul Bell]

There is a lot of pressure on kids now, most of it fuelled by social media. I think kids are scared to go without technology for even a day.

[Rania M]

This is so true for all the street kids out there. Either orphaned or with parents labouring or begging, they’re left to their own devices and there’s little one can do as they fall into criminal ways. So many are killed by in so many ways, it’s horrid and all we can do is watch them die.

[Paul Bell]

Sadly the worlds orphans just grow and grow.
Probably why the worlds poor are on the move.

[TV]

Sad that this is the way it is today... a tragic tale but true... great observation!

[Paul Bell]

Thanks, TV, it can only get better.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

i see a kid bullied to the point of killing himself, and later those responsible are pushed to do the same by guilt...and a bit of prodding by those who knew the original victim.
Today is tough with the internet among other poisons...when it comes to cyber bullying and such.
very sad piece of poetry.
very powerful.
j.

[Paul Bell]

It's a vicious circle for sure.

[AJNJ]

You have a point here. I see more more kids who’re never gonna make it. It’s the entire culture of isolation and self-aggrandising, hopeless attention-seeking and narcissism. They cut their veins and seek redemption and retribution through suicide. It’s a whole new fucked-up generation!

[Paul Bell]

It's like kids are programmed to fail.

[AJNJ]

Yes many of them around me are on potent psychiatric drugs. We’re failing as a civilisation.

[Cherrie Palmer]

If only... it's a heavy weight for those who could not see and a damming stone for destroyer of the innocent

[Paul Bell]

The innocent always suffer, at least for a time.

[sonnie ibadah]

Wow....just wow. I like the dark melancholy tone in this. Well penned.

[Paul Bell]

Always need a revenge plot, saves the innocent.