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National Poetry Month-Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month Poems
I am sharing a poem-a-day in honor of National Poetry Month. It is also Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month. The poems I’m sharing today are from Break The Cycle Volume III, which is an anthology I published in 2016. Proceeds from Break The Cycle books are donated to organizations that help abused children such as Prevent Child Abuse America and National Children’s Alliance Child Advocacy Centers.
Writing poems and stories for the Break The Cycle books was cathartic to me. It helped me release years of pent-up emotions. Publishing the books was my way of paying it forward to my aunt, uncle, and cousin for helping me escape years of child abuse. I am forever grateful for what they did for me. I am grateful for every foster parent and caring person that takes a child in to protect them and provide a safe environment where they can thrive.
So many thoughts were swirling when I wrote Reporter. I was questioning my faith, cursing the darkness in humanity, and pleading to anyone witnessing abuse.
Reporter
There are many things
I do not understand
in this world, but
hurting a child
tops the list.
Why would God
allow a child to
suffer such agony?
How can the devil
get past Him.
Please Lord, heal the mind
of evil men or strike
them dead immediately
before they harm a child.
I know my wish
is not reality.
Children still suffer
buy may they not
suffer in vain.
May their suffering
serve as a reminder
for us to report directly
to the authorities
the moment
we suspect abuse.
