I Wish Our Children A World of Love, Safety, and Respect

Courtesy of Google images

I am Guan-Yin protector of children

In my world no child ever suffers more pain

than the bumps, bruises, and breaks—the folly

of youthful adventure and risk-taking

I am Guan-Yin and children are revered for their differences

Children of both sexes are never exposed to the cruelty

of bigots whose intolerance is bred of ignorance and fear

cookie-cutter children don't exist in my world

each child is a unique shining beacon of hope

I am Guan-Yin protector of infants and toddlers

Baby girls aren't raped by trusted grandfathers and brothers

leaving behind hazy memories of something not quite right

growing up being told nothing ever happened as they

slowly spiral down into the hell of addiction or worse

I am Guan-Yin and I don't allow children to be stolen

A nine-year old girl is never kidnapped from her home

whereabouts unknown for 10 horrifyingly long months

identified by dental records when tiny bones encased in filthy sheets

are found in the trunk of an abandoned car rusting in the woods

I am Guan-Yin protector of the innocent women-children

A young teen-aged girl walking across the bridge

on her way home in the dusky rain-soaked evening

is never offered a ride by a male acquaintance

raped at knife-point and left forever changed

I am Guan-Yin enforcer of healthy boundaries for all children

A teen-aged girl working in the family business

is never given inappropriate gifts by a married man

grabbed onto and forcibly kissed while she pushes back

her mother never scoffs telling her she overreacted

I am Guan-Yin and I protect those who can't protect themselves

Never will four 21-year old young women travel

to Nawlins for Mardi Gras for wild adventure

3 out of 4 saying no—raped—believing it was

their fault for drinking one too many Hurricanes

I am not Guan-Yin—I knew each of these children

those of us who survived are still haunted by memories

we share a common bond of abuse without justice

our silence driven by fear, shame, and guilt

As bloggers many of us receive requests for help. Alexandra forwarded an email to me from Country-Fried Mama. Tuesday, September 28, we're linking up our blog posts to help raise awareness for the work of the Joyful Heart Foundation.

"Mariska [Hargitay, Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU"] founded Joyful Heart in 2004 with the intention of helping survivors heal and reclaim their lives. Today, Joyful Heart's mission is to heal, educate, and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues."

My perfect world for children includes far more than I've written about today. For now, I'll stay on point and write about the things I know that relate to the work of Joyful Heart.

I am Guan-Yin and I believe all children deserve to live in a world that doesn't yet exist

Country-Fried Mama is hosting the link-up for all who care to participate by sharing their hopes and dreams for their children. Please join us on Tuesday. See you there.

How many people have you known who would make your list of those who survived, are still struggling to find their way back, or never came home?