Innocence

 

A rough voice

Painting pictures in children's minds

An open hand

Stinging against a youthful cheek

But no one hears

And no one cries

 

Innocence lasts only seconds

A tiny barrier of mind and body

But blood flows red

Hot crimson that eventually 

runs cold

 

Matted hair surrounds a bony cheek

and pale blue suffering 

leaks crystal tears and

shed their humanity

alone at last

Who knows why cruelty

Roars its ugly head

and holds the innocents

between their teeth 

but nothing is the result

and nothing it shall 

always be

 

 

Author's Note

I teach kids for a living, particuarly in abduction prevention. A couple of years ago we had a few students who lived with their dad. Their dad was always watching class and seemed very loving. We didn't suspect that there was anything wrong. Later after they stopped training we learned that their father was put in jail for abuse and child pornography. We never knew. It was a very sobering thought and compelled me to write about it. This was the result.

Reviews

[Twilight]

Of the other reviews, Dianah's is probably the most constructive. Also, it was both interesting and informative, to read the detailed Author's Note. Indeed, it was particularly interesting to read about your source of inspiration, for this dark poem. That made me wonder, why is is that dark or traumatic themes can be so inspirational?

In the writer's final verse, she refers to the loss of humanity, innocence, terrible suffering and cruelty which are linked with child abuse. Sadly, I have heard of occasions, when the poor child believes that he/she has been responsible in some way. For example, in a case where the victim feels that he/she has been badly-behaved and deserves punishment. Thankyou, for sharing this with us, despite the darkness which such dire memories must bring you....

[Piikapoka]

Geez, this is really sad. Not the poem of course, the poems great! But its very tear jerking. Its brilliant work, how you wrote it. Its short but it says a lot. Awesome job:D!

[kewlbluetiger]

So well illustrated through your words. The silence and suffering that kids endure when their love is betrayed by the ones who should be protecting their innocence. My wife is a teacher and we have talked often about her involvement with children in similar circumstances. This here: "leaks crystal tears and / shed their humanity/ alone at last" gave me goosebumps.

[Georgia Gypsy]

You did a wonderful job with such an ugly realty. It is sobering to know we all may smile and say hello to monsters everyday,,,never knowing, never guessing what goes on behind closed doors.
Well done!

[Voice]

such a sad write and uch a sad reality. i will never understand how people could do something like this to children. thank you for being a voice for these kids. what your doing really helps.

Voice

[Emily]

tears
its very moving I like the line "innocence lasts only seconds"

[Sseoni]

Wow! What a powerful poem! I loved it! Absolutely mind blowing and moving! Wonderful poem! :D

[Samantha]

it definantly was moving.... i enjoyed it, sad as it was. You have a great talent! i cant write poems if my life depended on it!!!!

[Dreamer (Kristen)]

i'ts really regretfull that things like that happen, but you never really truely know a person.
the poem is very sad, it expresses how you feel about the event very clearly.

[Dianah]

You tackled this subject well and sympathetically. I cannot imagine how awful life must be for children who are abused who are too scared to tell anyone. A well written piece.