Dear Mr. Jesus, I just had to write to you

Something really scared me,when I saw it on the news

A story 'bout a little girl beaten black and blue

Jesus, thought I'd take this right to you

Dear Mr. Jesus, I don't understand

Why they took her mom and dad away

I know that they don't mean to hit

with wild and angry hands

Tell them just how big they are I pray

Please don't let them hurt your children

We need love and shelter from the storm

Please don't let them hurt your children

Won't you keep us safe and warm

Dear Mr. Jesus, they say that she may die

Oh I hope the doctors stop the pain

I know that you could save her

and take her up to the sky

So she would never have to hurt again

Please don't let them hurt your children..

Dear Mr. Jesus, please tell me what to do

And please don't tell my daddy

But my mommy hits me, too.

Please don't let them hurt your children...

                                          by Richard Klender

http://www.dayofthechild.org/dc98/poems.htm

Lashes Of Life

The lashes of life you may not see just by looking at me

I have hid the emotional scars deep within

And I have pretended my tears were diamonds.

My mother beat me most of the time with an invisible whip

made with hurtful words that cut deep

But no one read the abusive signs, I carried like chains

When she thought I hadn't suffered enough

She beat me with anything close to her hands

And each time when she finally let me go I ran

Hoping to find a way of escape no matter my childhood age

I was a frightened child, for I lived in the devil's rage

Even now that I am a grown woman

That frightened child lives within me

But I hide her so the world will not see

What a "Mother" did to her

When my mother died, people wondered why I hardly cried

I, and the child within me watched as mother was lowered

In her deep dark grave, and I knew she would never again

Hurt the little child within me

I now know JESUS, and I love Him so

He sees and knows the little frightened child within me

JESUS is gently healing the scars mother's lashes made

And I thank JESUS because I believe

One day this frightened child will be FREE

                                    Janice Stancil