Paws for Thought

A month of many causes
but one stands out to me
In the hope an awareness will
target those in need

It's not about the homeless
or illness or such things,
But about a little bundle
and the wondrous joy it brings

The precious gift they give us
is more than we could know
Discarded and forgotten
just as soon as they had grown

So cute as little puppies
and kittens we adore,
But once the novelty had worn off
they're not wanted anymore

A puppy's for life not Christmas
is what I always say
And when mine went to Rainbow Bridge
I knew there'd come a day -

When another one would need us
to give them a loving home,
How could one just not love them
what with all the love they show?

Yet shelters are overflowing
with animals in need
And as I walk past they all jump up
as if to say "Pick me!"

So heartbreaking to witness
a sight I'll not forget
You want to take them all home
and make each of them your pet!

But we were here to meet one
who'd surely win our hearts
And the moment that we saw her
we knew that it was love...

You see they have so much to give
our lives are richly blessed -
In the arms of this precious gift,
and love of a Shelter pet.

© Christina aka Stina
2008

Awareness of a Child's Fear

Sitting at home all alone
With a fear of the ones that live so near
Hiding pain that is there each day
Praying for Angels to take me away

In my room I try too hide
Covering my bruised face and teary eyes
From my punishments inflicted each day that goes by
For doing things the wrong way no matter how hard I try

So afraid of what will happen
Never wonting to go out and play
In the fear of what other children will say
Like - why do your parents treat you that way

I try so hard to do things right
I hate it when the day turns to night
That is when my mum and dad fight
Then on me they take out their plight

I hear footsteps loud and clear
Coming my way - I hide in fear
I know the fault is always mine
I know again it is that time

Feeling so alone I just want to die
And be taken away to the clouds in the sky
To feel the love I so desire
A caring hand that will always be kind

In Angels care I will cry no more tears
And never have to hide in fear
I want to play and feel the cheer
That all special little children seem too feel

In this time we live now
The sadness of violence is all around
In family homes - a haunting sound
When a child again has been hit to the ground

© Tootypup - Susan
2008

Shadow Woman

She lives in the shadows
a woman of mist.
The world barely sees her
she hardly exists.
She keeps her head down
she moves with great care.
Her life is lists and notes
a whispering voice - BEWARE.

Make sure it's done right
the tasks and the chores
no friends or phone calls
no knocks on the door.
Live to serve him
make sure his life's fine
don't argue, don't question
just toe the line.

In the still moments
she wonders what's real
is there a different life?
One he can't steal?
Those moments are fleeting
gone in a blink
there's dinner to fix
dirty dishes in the sink.

The day will come soon
she feels that it must.
When someone will see her
someone to trust.
If that mythical day
ever arrives,
she'll step out of the shadows
and finally - be alive.

© Novella
2008

Untitled

We never know from the people we meet,
The random passing on an afternoon street,
We hardly see wounded hearts bleeding,
Tears shed in silence, soul conceding.
We wonder when we see a bruise or a cast,
A fall down the stairs is the answer if asked,
We hesitate to confront and accuse without knowing,
Watching weeks become months with few bruises showing.

There are some who exist in a cloud of anger,
Who become the controller, the violent haranguer,
These are the takers of will, hope and love,
The generous givers of pain with a shove.
Their temper is short and they hide the wick,
The builders of pain, brick upon brick.
The first few times they feel bad and swear change,
But the abuse continues until it doesnʼt seem strange.

On a bus or a waiting room, at work or at play,
Domestic abuse is around us night and day,
Until we learn the symptoms and signs,
Observe patterns growing, learn truth from lines.
If you are a victim, mistreated and hit,
Be brave, tell someone, become acquit,
If you are someone, be brave and help out,
Let the law have its way, stop the knocking about.

Just donʼt step up on your own, mad as you might be,
Bent on retribution, to make the guilty see
What it feels like to be hurt, now donʼt you dare,
Let the law have its way, itʼs supposed to be fair.
But know in the end when accounts are all paid,
When secrets are told, when there is no shade,
Perfect justice will be done to the good and the bad,
And the poor shall be rich, no more tears to be had.

© Abdullah Bin John
2008

Keeping Abreast of the Times

This is written for the women
For whom this year has been
A blur of examinations
And yet another screen.
Who have endured the nausea
The agony and such,
For whom chemotherapy and surgery
Have mattered very much.

It is for those we know and love
Who have fought on each day,
Never understanding or knowing
What would be coming their way.
Who have learned to drape a scarf
Or wear a wig with ease,
Who have tried to make life normal
We all know women such as these.

We salute you all and those you love.
As you fight this giant war,
We offer our love and respect to you
As we have done before.
October is Awareness Month
And we make a promise to you,
To our sisters and our Mothers
To do the best that we can do.

Please wear a pink ribbon
To show that you care,
When others question why
Please make them aware.
Your Mothers, your sisters,
You friends and your wives,
Raise awareness ~ raise funds
It could save their lives.

© Linda J. Vaughan
2008

Stand Up

So many different things going on today
Domestic Violence, Animal Cruelty
Childhood cancers and Elder Abuse
Things that truly matter to you and me.

We all may have differences
And see things our way
But I know in our hearts
We all care each and every day.

We all need to stand up
Be strong and fight for our cause
Awareness needs a voice
Because life doesn't take pause.

If you truly believe
Then there is strength in your word
Speak up what is in your heart
And it will surely be heard.

© Jeri aka Windstorm
2008

No More

She sits on the stairs beaten and bruised
Tears running down her blood drenched cheeks
He didn’t mean it he said so himself
It was an accident – like the hundred times before.

She looked into the living room
He sat watching sports
She looked towards the door
She wanted to walk

She stood up and turned away from him
Heading to the kitchen to prepare his dinner.
The pain and anger burning inside her
As she prepared the meal of his choice.

She lay in bed later that night
Wishing she had the courage, the energy, the flight
To get out of this place, to walk out the door
But every time she did she came back to his door.

He beat her each time for leaving the house
For not following his orders
For being a waste of space.

Before She new it she couldn’t take it no more
She jumped out of bed and shouted at the walls
“This isn’t right! It isn’t the way! Today’s the day! I end it all!”
And before she new what was happening to her

She walked down those stairs and out the door
Knowing full well she wouldn’t be back anymore!

© Amanda Jenkins
2008

Why Me?

First you think you never going
to get it,
Before you know it, a lump is there
Scared you are, everyone is
You go to your doctor, see what he says,
all is checked out,
give us a few days and we call.

Its been a week and sitting at home,when the phone rings, you jump,
its the doctors office asking you to come in,
You think they found something in me,
quickly you go to see your doctor and its confirmed,
you have breast cancer.

Its ok to be scared, there is support out there,
Go fight it and win!
since you will go fight it.

© Poet at Heart (Michelle Fisher)
2008



Thank you for your wonderful submissions!
Each poem was a lovely tribute to such heartfelt causes.
Congratulations to our winners, and to everyone who submitted
If you did not place do not fear because you weren't forgotten -
Please accept this Participation Award in recognition of your efforts

© 2008
Designed by Christina aka Stina