Where Have They Gone? Poem by Jim Yerman

When we watch children playing
unaware of politics,
religion…
or race
we watch how they laugh
how they share
how they hold hands
no matter what color the face.

Then we watch how adults rule the world
causing bloodshed
and havoc
and woe
and we can't help but wonder
we can't help but ask…
where did those children go?

Those children who cared for one another
who picked each other up when they were low
who knew of only one race…the human race…
Where did those children go?

And today, as we watch the actions of these adults
and see the traits of children they now lack
not only do we wonder where the children have gone…
but we pray…
oh…how we pray
they will come back.