Innocence lost

and being ignored

sin

destroyed

sickness and little hope

confusion of mind

How can fathers detach so easily?

And who's minding the children?

Broken homes

absentee fathers

mothers abandoning them too

or too busy to care

child abuse and perversion

What happened to the fathers who say they are men?

And who's minding the children?

Taught to think of only self

gangs and bloodshed

early pregnancy and more unwanted babies

disrespect of authority

they don't live long anymore

Where are the fathers who plagiarize God's name?

And who's minding the children?

Abuse their elderly

violence in dating

all manner of carnage

homosexuality embellished

emotionally damaged

Why is daddy no where to be found?

And who's minding the children?

Physically impaired and unhealthy

insolent conduct

drugs annihilating

hidden in prison houses

sleeping in the streets

Wasn't daddy placed as head?

And who's minding the children?

Raising themselves

Uneducated

Misdirected

hungry

and full of rage

Where are these fathers who beat their chests?

And who's minding the children?

Reprinted from The Purple Rose by Michelle R. Yisrael, published March, 2008

A collection of poetry about daily living.