Fourteen Innocents

Published at Identity Theory; 2006

Fourteen innocents sit before Big Brother 
Fighting the illiteracy, unlike father or mother 

Sitting in the pokey for selling the meth 
Or drowning slowly in an alcoholic death 

One youngster can't see the screen before his eyes
Some of the others almost wanted to cry 

They click the mouse, place in the right word 
Sadly, they may not distinguish between a noun and a verb 

Nobody finished that long-winded assessment 
It just proved that they were deep in the basement 

Poverty and history have hindered them from the start 
Here come the teachers with the gigantic hearts 

There, time after time, helping the students increase their skills 
Not in the number of TV hours or video game kills 

Human interaction is what children crave the most 
Yet, some of them might end up making coffee and toast 

The session suddenly ends, the playing field still skewed 
But the spark of learning in somebody may be renewed 

The student empowered to strike out on their own 
Another soul saved, not another loss to bemoan 

There's enough sob stories to mix up a witches' brew 
But, somebody succeeding is a rarity out on Highway 22

Reviews

[Blue Moon Ice Cream]

I almost teared up reading this. It's so tragic that kids with so much talent and potential will waste it because of their parents' bad example. Even if they want to try to overcome their illiteracy, as you said, it seems like the odds are stacked against them. Absolutely gorgeous poem and I agree with KimLove--school boards everywhere should read this.

"mix up a witches' brew" --> should be singular "witch's"

[KimLove "The Beautiful ..]

This is a truly amazing write. I wish I could stand before our school board and read it. My son is barely surviving the eighth grade because of how it is so easy to ignore the student who causes no trouble but can't do the work. We have met a wonderful guidence counsler this year if it where not for her I have no idea what I would have done. She has gone above and beyond to help me make sure my son is prepared for high school next year. It's still this close to the end of the year going to be a very close call. Great write Ken, this is the best one yet.

[Rene Velez]

I live in the inner city Ken, all my life, I have seen the public school system crumble in front of my eyes, how unprepared I was for college and how lost I felt when I was there, and no hope or guidance, I guess that's why I dropped out. It was hard just getting out of high school dodging the bullets, drugs, and crooked cops, there are obstacles my friend big and small, children and their innocence allow them a chance at a better tomorrow, good guidance and interaction with good people are big factors, I'm impressed with your work Ken.

[ButterflyWonderland]

I enjoyed this. An excellent piece.

[Helpless]

wow..... heavy stuff dude.

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

Your poem brings several realities to light. We are all steering away from human interaction too much. Children have no clue what to do when they go outside to play like we did. They don't learn the difference between a noun and a verb because a computer program will fix it, we will not even touch on spelling. Parents are so busy keeping up that they give their children electronic toys to entertain instead of spending time with them and expect the teachers to fill in the blanks. It will not work. Well penned

[joshua deathdealer]

Stunning. I love it. Human interaction is what children crave most. So very true. I bet your an awesome teacher. Very heartfelt write.

[Branch Isole]

An apt description of too common an educator's task.
Good work K.

[Ruth]

And that is a hit! Wow! Seriously thought provoking and yes......society is numbing us ALL! Wonderful, as always love, I am blessed to read your work!
xx