Teddy, I've been bad again,

My Mommy told me so;

I'm not quite sure what I did wrong,

But I thought that you might know.

When I woke up this morning,

I knew that she was mad;

'Cause she was crying awful hard,

And yelling at my dad.

I tried my best to be real good,

And do just what she said;

I cleaned my room all by myself,

I even made my bed.

But I spilled milk on my good shirt,

When she yelled at me to hurry;

And I guess she didn't hear me,

When I told her I was sorry.

'Cause she hit me awful hard, you see,

And called me funny names;

And told me I was really bad,

And I should be ashamed!

When I said, "I love you, Mommy,"

I guess she didn't understand;

'Cause she yelled at me to shut my mouth

Or I'd get smacked again.

So I came up here to talk to you,

Please tell me what to do;

'Cause I really love my Mommy,

And I know she loves me, too.

And I don't think my Mommy means,

To hit me quite so hard;

I guess sometimes, grown-ups forget

How really big they are!

So Teddy, I wish you were real,

And you weren't just a bear;

Then you could help me find a way

To tell Mommies everywhere.

To please try hard to understand.

How sad it makes us feel;

'Cause the outside pain soon goes away,

But the inside never heals!

And if we could make them listen,

Maybe then they'd understand;

So other children just like me,

Wouldn't have to hurt again.

But for now, I guess I'll hold you tight,

And pretend the pain's not there;

I know you'd never hurt me,

So Goodnight, Teddy Bear!

~Cindy Pike Dunning ~