Comfort ~ “Home Sweet Home” October 7, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Blogging, People, Poetry.trackback
A friend arrested
Charge: child endangerment
Questions swirl inside
The key fits the lock
and opens the door into
a vast, empty shell
Stripped bare, the mattress
leans against the wall ~ waiting
for the next “owner”
Rivulets of sweat
create perspiration pools ~
A/C on the blink
The stern judge grants no
leniency ~ we must decide
where fragile truth lies
One door closes as
another opens ~ freedom
and keys exchange hands
Pride and Prejudice
lightens Bleak House with needed
humor and great wit
Related posts: Weekly Photo Challenge ~ Comfort * Comfort (Mayfielder) * Comfort (Chittle Chattle) * Comfort (Pseu’s Blog) * My Pet (Time After Time) * Sole Comfort (Pix & Kardz) * Comfort ~ Hot Springs (Maggie’s Photography) * Comfort (Inspired Vision)
Comments
Sorry comments are closed for this entry
Spirit Lights The Way 
Great poem.
Thanks, Patricia. Being in my own bed and home at night is comfort, indeed.
An accusation of child endangerment can be a very frightening thing for a parent to face. There are cases where they are accused and are not guilty. What used to be a less uptight parenting style has in some cases evolved into neglect and endangerment. I remember my mom’s rule: Be in the house when the streetlights come on. Would this work today? I don’t think so.
I agree, Nancy.
It’s good that we look more carefully at the welfare of children to prevent child abuse, but sometimes accusations of abuse are unwarranted.
Nice poem! Like Nancy, I also remember my Mother’s rule of being home before dark.
Same here, Marie. Simpler times, far more freedom, and far less fear.
[…] Comfort ~ “Home Sweet Home” (nrhatch.wordpress.com) […]
A photo that makes you think, even smile… Has a bit of humor in it. Wonderful poetry.
At first I tagged this as “humor” because of the photo. Then I changed the tags due to the poem. Thanks!
I think where folk used to bully their children into accountability, there is a much better way. That is to love them all their lives so that they return that love by always talking to us about their lives. That can involve a great deal of pain, but it is the only way in my understanding.
For me this poem was intriguing, and made me think a lot.
John
Parents bullying their children tends to creates bullies out of those children down the road because they’ve internalized the message that “might makes right.”
Far better to lead by example. I’m sure you must have been a stellar parent . . . for I’ve seen the fine fruits of your labor. 😀
Is this based on a real incident?
Does it matter?
Went through 2 years of molestation charges with toddler daughter after divorce. Wasn’t no fun. Kid was even trained with anatomical. doll. What a piece of puke for a mother she has. Far too many women take this trip. That was 26 years ago. My rage will never subside.
I’m sorry to hear that. I am glad that we have stricter laws in place and that there is mandatory reporting by doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. Too many kids are abused.
But the laws themselves can be abused and manipulated in the hands of people set on revenge, retribution, or vengence.
It isn’t called child endangerment here, it’s called child abuse. That term is even worse, it can cover so many things. Unfortunately there have been misaccusations, and worse, warnings which have been ignored.
Love is the answer, I agree. You can’t teach love, though. When you feel it you know. How can you account for not feeling it?
It’s both here. Child endangerment is leaving a young child unattended in the wrong place. Child neglect is falling to properly care for a child. Child abuse is beating the child.
Sometimes child endangerment and neglect is so pervasive that it rises to the level of child abuse.
“where fragile truth lies”, indeed, Nancy. How terrifying for anyone to be accused of something they have not done.
Enjoyed this thought-provoking poem ( and the photo :))
Thanks, bluebee. I’ve known a few people involved in bitter custody disputes where allegations flew that didn’t seem warranted by the facts.
What an awful thing to say about someone in order to gain the “upper hand” in negotiations. Of course, I’m never a fan of people who lie to give themselves a leg up in life.
Home is a sweet comfort, Nancy – even more so, I would imagine, after having had to spend time in jail, especially if undeserved.
Considering how little comfort some people have puts our petty discomforts into perspective.
the image made me smile, the poem made me think
“where fragile truth lies” – what a powerful line….
thanks for sharing – and thanks for the pingback!
Thanks, p&k ~ I loved your colorful comfy cosy socks! 😀
That’s a very deep poem Nancy. Of course my child becomes an endangered species every time he fails to keep up with his homework 😉
But seriously, the world has become a minefield for even the most consciencious of parents and also for those prepared to give their time to help with youth groups and the like – I have to do regular CRB checks for Cub Scouts. I suspect that much of it is a result of a campaign by the press and other media to stir up public hysteria as that is what sells papers. The real level of threat to our children is probably no different now than it was when I was a child.
Excellent point, Martin. We should keep our eyes and hearts open to the plight of children subjected to likely abuse, while avoiding the public hysteria which governed the Witch Hunts of 1692 and the Red Scare under Senator Joseph McCarthy.
We must not let our imaginations run away with our reason.