Nothing So Costly

Could relate to any issue but this is mine...

Read between the lines

where indifference dwells

where vile ignorance lives

no fine line

 of love and hate

no black and white just ashen grey

apathy reigns

 in the detached mind

it's a  dying passion with no pulse

look around this poor world needs you

to care

 and give a goddamned shout

when injustice

 and decay are abounding

look the other way and all is lost and forgotten

no dignity

 in hiding behind a weak fortitude

your hidden solitude will reap no benefits 

one day 

this could be you or yours and you'll relate

then all the grey

 will seem an outrageous debate

it'll be too late, you turned your head and sympathies

the audacity

 of ignorance is it'll get you in the end

who'll have compassion for your plight when

 we're all dead

                              

Author's Note

Child Sexual Abuse is the use of a child for sexual gratification by an older or more powerful person. The offender is usually an adult, but could also be a more powerful child. Both girls and boys are vulnerable, it happens all around us, in rich homes and poor homes. We either don't know this or refuse to see this ugly truth, statistics are ugly too. 40% of girls and 25% of boys below age 16 are victims of CSA. Be aware, because every child deserves to be safe. It is a crime punishable by law. The sound of silence is more deadly than you realize.

You can read this as social commentary or poetry, it's in your hands, I leave that up to the reader.

Reviews

[kublakhan27]

You've been, and still are, an incredible battler, though there's a strong element of resignation in this one...mind you, that may simply be my own interpretation as one that spends a lot of time in that mindset...it almost becomes comfortable after a while, but I'm fortunate to have people around to snap me out of it when that happens...needless to say, you have some as well :) Anyways, I don't wanna get too gushy on you so I'll stop myself by telling you how much I like this...it's raw and honest...great work :)

[Frieda P]

Wow thanks so much k...I feel defeated sometimes, not only for myself but for the countless others that deal with this regularly. You're too kind my friend. :-)

[kublakhan27]

It's easy to fall prey to that feeling...stay strong :)

[Carolann Dowsett]

I'm glad you wrote this we all need to be aware of this evil. So many lives destroyed and the damage it does to the child lasts a lifetime. A very good powerful write.

[Frieda P]

It certainly does wreck lives. Thanks you muchly.

[DrD]

Churches, foster care, detention centers . . . . there is no refuge from this atrocity and you do right by keeping it the forefront of your messages. I applaud you and your determined effort to use your skill to translate this heinous offense into a common awareness.

[Frieda P]

Thanks DrD, means a lot.

[Tarry Franck]

Great piece of work!

[Frieda P]

Thanks Tarry, much appreciated.

[LA Lorena]

Keep shouting!

[Frieda P]

I've never shouted this much, I'm hoarse!

[C.C. Marx]

It truly inspires me to see someone so dedicated to righting a wrong that has plagued our world for too long. Frieda, you work is inspiration, your voice needs to be heard by those who's voice was lost through suffering in a childhood like this, fantastic job!!

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much C.C. that truly touched my heart.

[C.C. Marx]

I'm glad because your work touched mine :)

[Aidz]

Human ignorance, unless it touches them directly no-one gives a f**k.

Yes Frieda Child Sexual Abuse is ingrained in ignorance (as a lot of things are) and Im sure those stats should be higher unfortunately .. I also work in the community welfare sector and see the damage this causes daily. SO well done to you for raising this awareness. But remember by dealing with the kids the damage is already done, to be aware of the Adults that is the trick.

http://www.childwise.net

[Frieda P]

It's hard to take you seriously with that mug of yours staring at me. Seriously, this is such a huge problem, it's overwhelming the amount of people it affects. I know, it's difficult at best, I've had to deal with this in my childcare center, it's putting your neck out when you know all hell is going to break loose but that's what has to be done. There are no easy answers here. Thanks so much, and what's up with the face?

[Aidz]

I seed LAs boobiez

[Frieda P]

I see'd em too, my face don't look like dat! ;-)

[Aidz]

yup it did!

[KAOlmsted]

I've said it before, I'll say it again...your voice needs to be heard by more than just this small community. I would sincerely love for you to explore that avenue, Frieda, of getting this work "out there"...Well done.

[Frieda P]

Thanks kimmer, I'm working on it, it's not an easy battle, but anything worth fighting for, never is...it's certainly something that people need to be made aware of.

[David Scott]

Your voice shows the absence if apathy. I join your voice here. We need to be "in touch" with our children and let them know we will hear them and maybe even pay attention enough to ask them when the "signs" are there to read.
A needed write.

[Frieda P]

Thanks so much David...I think even when people see signs they're either afraid or too blase to care, therein lies the problem.

[quinfinn]

poetry and social commentary both, or it just doesn't work for me. there are some profound lessons in this write and many good observations, not to mention it is masterfully penned. me, i only ignore the dumb s**t...what is relevant is important.