Teddy, I've been bad again,
When I woke up this morning,
I tried my best to be real good,
But I spilled milk on my good shirt,
Cause she hit me awful hard, you see,
When I said, "I love you, Mommy,"
So I came up here to talk to you,
And I don't think my Mommy means,
So Teddy, I wish you were real,
To please try hard to understand.
And if we could make them listen,
But for now, I guess I'll hold you tight,
"Children Don't Wait"
I was sitting on a bench
"Little Eyes"
There are little eyes upon you
You're the little children's idol,
There's a wide-eyed little student
My name is Misty,
I am but three;
My eyes are swollen,
I cannot see.
I must not be loved
For I am punished
By cigarette burns.
I must do right,
I can't do wrong,
Or else I am locked up
All week long.
When I awake,
I'm alone.
The house is dark,
My folks are gone.
Deep down inside I feel bad
For Mom and Dad.
I'm really just an expensive joke.
No more, no less ... than speed or coke.
Be quiet now! I hear a car.
My dad is back from Charlie's Bar.
I hear him curse.
My name he calls.
I squeeze myself against the wall
On my bed.
It's too late.
His face is twisted into hate.
I feel the pain again and again.
Oh, Dear God! Please let it end.
My name is Misty.
I am but three.
Last night my father
Murdered me ...
"If Teddy Bears Could Talk"
If Teddy Bears could talk,
"Children Learn What They Live"
My Mommy told me so;
I'm not quite sure what I did wrong,
But I thought that you might know.
I knew that she was mad;
Cause she was crying awful hard,
And yelling at my dad.
And do just what she said;
I cleaned my room all by myself,
I even made my bed.
When she yelled at me to hurry;
And I guess she didn't hear me,
When I told her I was sorry.
And called me funny names;
And told me I was really bad,
And I should be ashamed.
I guess she didn't understand;
Cause she yelled at me to shut my mouth.
Or I'd get smacked again.
Please tell me what to do;
Cause I really love my Mommy,
And I know she loves me, too.
To hit me quite so hard;
I guess sometimes, grown ups forget.
How really big they are.
And you weren't just a bear;
Then you could help me find a way.
To tell Mommies every where.
How sad it makes us feel;
Cause the outside pain soon goes a way,
But the inside never heals.
Maybe then they'd understand;
So other children just like me,
Wouldn't have to hurt again.
And pretend the pain's not there;
I know you'd never hurt me,
So Goodnight, Teddy Bear...
while in a nearby mall,
When I noticed a young mother
with two children who were small.
The youngest one was whining,
"Pick me up," I heard him beg
but the mother's face grew angry
as the child clung to her leg.
"Don't hang on to me," she shouted
as she pushed his hands away,
I wish I'd had the courage
to go up to her and say...
"The time will come too quickly
when those little arms that tug,
Won't ask for you to hold them
or won't freely give a hug.
"The day will sneak up subtly
just as it did with me,
When you can't recall the last time
that your child sat on your knee.
"Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings
when we cherished time alone
Our babies grow and leave behind
those special times we've known.
"So when your child comes to you
with a book that you can share,
Or asks that you would tuck him in
and help him say his prayer...
"When he comes to sit and chat
or would like to take a walk,
Before you answer that you can't
`cause there's no time to talk.
"Remember what all parents learn
so many times too late,
That years go by too quickly
and that childhood doesn't wait.
"Take every opportunity,
if one should slip away
Reach hard to get it back again,
don't wait another day."
I watched that mother walk away
her children followed near,
I hope she'll pick them up
before her chances disappear...
and they're watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly
take in every word you say.
there are little hands all eager
to do anything you do;
And little children dreaming
of the day they'll be like you.
you're the wisest of the wise.
In their little minds about you
no suspicions ever rise.
They believe in you devoutly,
hold all you say and do;
they will say and do, in your way
when they're grown up just like you.
who believes you're always right;
and their eyes are always opened,
and they watch you day and night.
You are setting an example
every day in all you do;
For the little child who's waiting
to grow up to be like you.
"Misty"
What would they say;
What would they tell you,
About the children with whom they play?
They might tell you things
You don't want to hear;
Like Mommy hurt Tommy,
Or Daddy is who we fear.
The Teddy Bears of children
Are not just some toy;
They're sometimes the only love felt,
By some little girl or boy.
So when you see a child
Scared and alone,
Find him a Teddy Bear
In need of a home.
Know that you've done good
By the deed in your heart,
You've given this child
A place for love to start.
If a child lives with HOSTILITY,
He learns to FIGHT.
If a child lives with RIDICULE,
He learns to be SHY.
If a child lives with SHAME,
He learns to feel GUILTY.
If a child lives with TOLERANCE,
He learns to be PATIENT.
If a child lives with ENCOURAGEMENT,
He learns to be CONFIDENT.
If a child lives with PRAISE,
He learns to APPRECIATE.
If a child lives with FAIRNESS,
He learns JUSTICE.
If a child lives with SECURITY,
He learns to have FAITH.
If a child lives with APPROVAL,
He learns to LIKE HIMSELF.
If a child lives with ACCEPTANCE
and FRIENDSHIP,
He learns to LOVE in the world.
Please I ask of you to help Child Abuse.
Carolyn
