Little Ones Poem by Saiom Shriver

Such small things
can terrify first graders.

One little boy could not
find his lunch ticket.
He was quaking when
told to wait
at the end of the line.

A little girl didn't
have the tools at home
for her assigned special project..
and could not sleep all night.

Another little boy.. was
knocked around by his alcoholic
parent.. and ran away from home.

Still another little girl
felt ashamed of the clothing
she wore to school.

A frightened child was
a stutterer and shook with
fear when asked to speak
in front of the class.

One father decided his
gentle nine year old
should learn to hunt
and slapped him repeatedly
when he didn't pick up the gun.

Like defenseless
lambs before the
end bleating
are the weak boys
subjected to ridicule
and beatings.