Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Ow! (01/07/10)
-
TITLE: Sun-kissed Curls | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debbie Roome
01/14/10 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
A girl with sun-kissed curls and temperament so mild.
I smiled a quick hello, the day that we first met,
The mother’s name was Sue, the father’s name was Jet.
I heard the cries that night, a toddler screaming, “Ow!”
And adult voices raised, an angry raucous row.
I couldn’t help but listen, with walls of meager wood,
But turned away and shrugged, to intefere’s not good.
I saw the child that week, her arm a purpled blue,
“My goodness!” came my words, “Whatever did you do?”
The mother’s smile was tight, as lies fell from her lips,
“Kate’s a clumsy girl, she often falls and trips.”
I nodded knowing my place, the child was theirs not mine,
I had no concrete proof, I could not cross that line.
And yet the cries continued, “Ow,” and “Stop it please.”
Her little voice was shrill, it brought me to my knees.
“Protect her, Lord,” I cried, “And take away her pain.
What kind of parents do that, what do they hope to gain?”
But heaven’s gates were silent, the noise was all next door,
“Ow, ow, you’re hurting me, you’ve made my tummy sore.”
I should have called the cops, a friend or someone strong,
To help me in my weakness, before things went so wrong.
“Ow!” she screamed again, her voice a fading cry,
I should have gone to help, but knew I shouldn’t pry.
Her grave was kissed with sunshine, as people stopped to pray,
The rays were straight from heaven, and I heard the Father say,
“The child is with me now, from pain and grief she’s free.”
I hung my head in shame, it was all because of me.
But God is kind and gracious, His mercy’s always new,
His love and patience changed me, my confidence just grew.
So now I work with children, the ones that call out, “Ow!”
The ones with broken homes, and furrows on their brow.
And somewhere up in heaven, there lives a little child,
A girl with sun-kissed curls and temperament so mild.
I know that I’m forgiven, her heart is full of grace,
I’ll get to meet her one day, as we join in God’s embrace.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
I also appreciate the message given in this heart-wrenching poetic tale.
I learned this lesson in the past few months. I suspected, but couldn't know for sure...now I know.
Mona