Their cries awakened my deep sleep,
echoes of laughs that will not be.
Empathy pains are carried deep,
with eyes shut tight still forced to see.

Children are born
to play and laugh,
not to be scorned
or be attacked.

Innocence carried into space,
the purest smile fades from their face.
Sad memories soon takes its place,
tears pour to mourn immense digrace.

Kids should all live
and learn in peace,
tough to forgive,
trust and faith cease.

Angelic sobs for all to hear,
carving a spot to fill with fear.
Worries remain once they appear,
scarring traumas can outlast years.

Teenagers come
to celebrate,
but may feel numb
balancing hate.

Invoke pure light for future days,
for what will be, we need to pray.
Negative vibes are chased away,
when love filled kind acts are displayed.

– Grace Y. Estevez – Reddy