Solutions

call me a witch if yer like but if people can't have children why can't they consider adopting? all kids need loving don't they?

you tell me you want children

though you sadly can't conceive

so you cry yourself to sleep at night

while you catch your sobs to breathe

i understand your disappointment

as yet another season passes

but i think you are obsessing

when there are some other answers

but no you are not listening

as your ears are deaf to me

when i tell you all around us

there are young ones who have need

when discarded by their parents

they are looking for a shelter

they are praying to their gods at night

they are looking for an answer

is there someone who can love them

is there someone who can love them

who can offer them a place called home

and a loving family

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

This hit a nerve for me Christine. Too close to home as my eldest struggles to try to have a family. He and his wife have considered adoption but I guess we all like the idea of our DNA progressing to the next level. Interesting and sensitive piece set in your usual tightly rhymed and metered poem.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. It is a sensitive situation, but it is a tragedy that so many children need a loving home. All children deserve to be loved.

Chris

[Neville]

this is not a rant, indeed far from it, it is a very moving plea neatly swaddled within a poem .. and whilst
I agree with the sentiments and observations herein, I feel just as strongly that whilst for want of a better word 'accidents' do happen and always will, there are far too many children born, for the wrong reasons .. again, this is one of those posts sadly but very much so enjoyed .. Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. Yes, far too many unplanned children. Far too many neglected children. They all deserve a loving and happy home. I admire very much those who foster or adopt children. An old poem you have breathed life into.

Chris

[Neville]

It was worth it and you are most welcome Chris.

Neville

[sette]

the poem about adoption is certainly encouraging there are still alternatives to infertility but what counts more is the desire to be good parents and that is indeed one tough job

[Chris Shaw]

Absolutely right sette, it is a tough job, but also a very rewarding one.. Many thank yous for your visit.

Chris

[Dave]

OMG! I've never really thought about the angst of those who so much desire to have a family yet can't conceive on their own. You beautifully point out a wonderful alternative, I'm sure there are thousands, of children in need of a loving, caring family. Very nice put Chris.

Take care - Dave

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. So many children who don't have a loving family. A solution worth giving some consideration in my opinion. Appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[Dave]

You're more than welcome

[Abhilash Hegde]

Such delicately written. The emotions are so pure, questions you and leaves you with thoughts to ponder. They say, One of the primary goal of life is procreation but does it have to be always? Does it have to be your blood to call it your own ? Some very careful thoughts to ponder about. But to care, love an another child as your own is an equal blessing. Compassion should triumphs always. Thanks for sharing, it is a very thought provoking write.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Abhilash, many thanks for your visit and your caring attitude. You show compassion. All good wishes.

Chris

[Abhilash Hegde]

You're welcome Chris! Thanks.

[Cassie]

I really love this, giving home to a child out there who has no home is such a good thing

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Cassie of the smiling face. I had a very happy upbringing so it grieves me there are so many children in care. Why make more when there are so many who have nothing. A subject dear to my heart. Keep well and safe.

Chris

[AFRODITE STATHI]

You touch a very sensitive issue and you are right there are solutions.Good work!!!

[Chris Shaw]

Dear AFRODITE, delighted to have a visit from you. Thank you so much


Chris

[Anastasia]

Yes, there is a stigma attached to adoption eastern countries. But that is only because of the premium we attach to why we have children and the ability to do so. Culturally, in our country, it was believed to be important to procreate and have at least one son - so that you have someone to take care of you in the old age etc. Socially, we have always viewed the ability to have children as a reflection of man's virility and masculinity. A lot of men, especially in the non-metro, non-urban areas, refuse to see that they probably could have a problem in conceiving a child. A barren woman is always looked down upon; in rural areas, she is even driven out of the house and left to fend for herself. The man, of course, will marry again, and probably continue with the cycle. We may like to believe a lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same as well.
The stigma is also because Adoption is not favoured because one is not sure as each child comes with its own unique DNA, and that is an unknown people don't necessarily want to deal with. Also, people think they wouldn't be able to love an adopted child as much as they would love one of their own.
Things have definitely changed for the better in the urban areas. While the decision is frowned upon and called unnatural, adopting couples are no more really outcast or isolated and are experiencing the joys of having a child more and more. This is a very relevant and well written poem on a very burning social issue of our times.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sabrina, a warm welcome to my page and many thanks for the very interesting points you have raised. I do hope the stigma associated with adoption lessens everywhere and more homes are given to needy children. It is a tragic situation so many are without a loving family. All good wishes.

Chris

[Anastasia]

Your point is well appreciated here and I hope more and more people lift up their pens to serve the cause of such great social issues in the world. I encourage you to keep writing on such issues always.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you, and I will do my best :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Children Chris; this poem is so well said and important for people to know that there are millions of children out there who need a loving home. It is difficult to find out that you can't have your own children; it has happened in our extended family. But I know as a Guardian who represents abused and neglected children in court, that there are many adorable kids out there that need permanency. A well worded and a very relevant poem. Best, Betty

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Betty for your understanding. Keep safe and well dear poet.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

You too! Can’t wait for our election, what a mess it will be!

[MomzillaNC]

It's a shame people can't accept adoption as solution to the desire to have children. It's also a shame that adoption has become so difficult in America. After we had our son, I was told not to try to have more children (things went very badly in the last months before he was born premature). So, my husband and I wanted to adopt. We didn't want to wait for an infant to become available, particularly since we were 40 when our son was born. But, when we tried to adopt older children, we found that we were expected to foster first, with the expectation that the state and orphanages would be working first to reunite families, and that any fostered child could be removed from our home at any time. We were advised that, given our ages and income, it was unlikely we would eventually be permitted to adopt. We could foster and be given money, unsolicited, from the state for that child. But, we couldn't adopt, assuming full financial responsibility ourselves. Seriously, they'd have paid us to NOT adopt. That broke my heart.

[Chris Shaw]

Such an interesting response Momzilla. Thank you for sharing your own experience. My heart goes out to you. If adoption is being made so difficult for those that want to provide a loving home for children, I can't help feeling how negative that situation is. I do believe it is also a lengthy process in the UK.

Chris

[MomzillaNC]

I can understand it being a lengthy process. It shouldn't be undertaken lightly.

But, it also shouldn't be structured to prevent adoption. For example, in some states, the parent from whom children were removed only has to give the appearance of going through the motions and refuse to surrender parental rights to prevent their child from being adopted out of the system. Most of the kids who age out of the system are caught in that kind of loop for years, bouncing around from one foster situation to another until they turn 18. Then, they're just left to make their way however they might in the world.