Mississippi Children Poem by Kyle Shield Laster

Pretty girls with ragged dolls-
Do skip the dirty street.
As they pass a sister- Wave...
They blow a kiss and greet.

Pudgy boys with chocolate cake-
Do sit outside the church-
Waiting for their next free meal;
Like chubby birds, they perch.

One ugly girl without a doll
Did walk the streets disgruntled-
Never to be seen again...
I heard she was dismantled.

A skinny boy without a home-
Tried to attend a sermon-
Given choice, his hands he could-
Cut off or try and earn 'em.