PAD Challenge Day 18: Little Boys and Girls

PAD Challenge Day 18: Take the phrase “Little (blank),” replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write your poem.

Little Boys and Girls

All little boys and girls need

is more exposure to the purest hearts;

Shelter from rainy days and window pain;

Full, undivided ears starving

for their little subtle feelings and fears;

A sweet little introduction to

God, prayer, and a dream;

Egos set-aside for their desires and pride;

Whole truths, halves of someone’s

success and a quarter of their endeavors;

Enlightenment about mistakes,

trial and errors;

A little parade of empathy;

Life cycles of respect,

independence and stability;

Sturdier roots to rest their fruits on;

Clearer directions to the route of

high self-esteem, individuality and liberation;

Well defined nouns, adjectives,

and verbs relating to love;

and a little more realistic

HE-roes and SHE-roes

to protect their minds

from manipulation and mental anguish;

their bodies from malnourishment,

exploitation and human trafficking;

their veins from codeine and morphine;

and their spirits from life's nightmares,

demons and villains.

All little boys and girls need

is a little S.O.S from these

sinkholes of times.

D'Elegantone

Artwork: "We Come to America" by Faith Ringgold
Taken in Houston, TX during opening reception