SARAH

This poem is possibly one of the most heart wrenching that I have ever read. It seems inconceivable to think that people would treat their children like this yet tragically it happens all over the world.

This tragedy takes place in just too many homes and all too often when we hear those screams of pain and terror we turn away, or turn up the radio, we don't want to get involved.

Sure we'll support 16 days of activism!

Sure we'll wear a blue ribbon against child abuse!

That's easy to do, we can make a pretence of support without getting involved.

Here's my call to you. Read this poem. Try to imagine the terror, the pain, and above all the confusion this child is suffering.

Her soul cries for love, tenderness and support. She wants someone to love her. Her cry is "You brought me here, love me, play with me, nurture me, help me to grow and become who I can be. Don't hurt me, love me!"

Read this poem and ask yourself if you could live with yourself if you turned away from her cry for help? Could you live with yourself if you chose to not get involved?

Sarah

My name is Sarah, I am but three,

My eyes are so swollen that I cannot see.

I must be stupid, I must be bad,

What else could have made my daddy so mad?

I wish I were better, I wish I weren't ugly,

Then maybe my Mommy would still want to hug me.

I can't speak at all, I can't do a wrong

Or else I'm locked up all the day long.

When I awake I'm all alone the house is dark

My folks aren't home.

When my Mommy does come I'll try and be nice,

So maybe I'll get just one whipping tonight.

Don't make a sound! I just heard a car

My daddy is back from Charlie's Bar.

I hear him curse my name he calls

I press myself tight against the cold walls.

I try and hide from his evil eyes

I'm so afraid now I'm starting to cry.

He finds me weeping he shouts ugly words,

He says its my fault that he suffers at work.

He slaps me and hits me and yells at me more,

I finally get free and run for the door.

He's already locked it so I start to bawl,

He takes me and throws me hard against the wall.

I fall to the floor my bones bruised and broken,

My daddy just beats me with more bad words spoken.

"I'm sorry!", I scream but its now much too late

His face has been twisted into unimaginable hate.

The hurt and the pain again and again

Oh please God, have mercy! Oh please let it end!

He finally stops and heads for the door,

While I lay there motionless, sprawled on the floor.

My name was Sarah I was but three,

And tonight my daddy he murdered me.

This is the dark side of human nature. This is where your light is desperately needed.

I heard a saying that "It takes an entire village to raise a child"

Can we start to live by that principle. Can we stop being so busy complaining about having to make a living and make the time to make a difference in our "village".

To all those who have made the commitment to make a difference, who have become involved and who are the light I salute you. You give humanity hope for the future.

Together we can change the world.