This poem was written for my Public Ministry class, Spring 2016. It's a faith-rooted response to a public issue in the News. The photos are screenshots from CNN.com and the images of the children are what prompted me to respond.
What Do They See?
What do they see, these children of three, as they travel on
through busy streets?
The carnage, the bodies, the panic, despair - just a few
of the troubles they meet.
What do they see, these children so young, as they hear yet
another bomb blow?
A bus overturned, another life lost, the embers of doom
still aglow.
What do they see, these children of youth, as they press up
their noses to glass?
More guards with
more guns and more fights to be won when they really should just be in class.
What do they see, these children alone, who head into days
of unease?
An absence of doctors and nurses to care for their latest and
painful disease.
What do they see, these children so brave, who head down the
road on their carts?
A path of destruction, with no safety measures, and scenes
that could only break hearts.
What...COULD they see, these children of three, as they
travel on through busy streets?
A hustle and bustle of workers and people and
friendly, new faces to meet.
What COULD they see, these children so young, as they hear
yet another bomb blow?
That thankfully, only a car’s muffler rumbling, as
sputtering past it does go.
What COULD they see, these children of youth, as they press
up their noses to glass?
The wonder of creatures, with colorful features, as
they swim and they amble on past.
What COULD they see, these children alone, who head into
days of unease?
The arms of adults, who will love them through faults, and
embrace them with love and a squeeze.
What COULD they see, these children so brave, who head down
the road on their cart?
A road filled with movement and motion and memories,
adventure inside their dear hearts.
Creator God, we entrust the live of these children to your
Almighty care. They are children of the earth, children of our time...YOUR
children. Protect them, shepherd them, guide them, and love them so that
they
may grow into the beautiful beings they were meant to become. In your Holy name
we pray, Amen.
