Orphanage Poem by louis rams

the name says it all orphan age
they are orphans from birth
until they reach that age
that is how they got the name orphanage.

have you ever thought of the aches and pains
that they have gone through.
unlike me or you.

'we had parents' whether they were bad or good
we could not be misunderstood
but these children never had that chance
people would look at them and turn their glance.

they were also known as 'children of prey'
for the abuse would not go away.
they would be behind fences
in their ragged torn clothes
a disgusting sight to behold.

the urine stench would tickle your nose
as they held on the fence
in that sorrowful pose.

natted hair, dirty hands and faces.
torn shoes with no laces.
asking all who passed by
if they cared if they 'lived or died'.

people would hide their faces in shame
wondering if they could ever be the same.
for now these faces haunted them
wherever they would go.
and the love these kids would never know.

this is not an orphanage, but a house of horror
for these children there is no tomorrow.
they say the times have changed drastically
but that is something i do not see.

let's tear down these places
who steal childrens dreams
and let them live a life that's clean.