Her Name Is Want
Her Name is Want
By Elton Camp
That “all are equal,” she knows to be untrue
No matter how many platitudes people spew
“Mother won’t let me play with you anymore”
She’s heard such cruel words many times before
Her father, Want will never see or come to know
He is a good man because her mother told her so
“There are many other things you father has to do.
If not, he would rush home to help me care for you.”
Want’s mother dresses up so fancy most every night
And comes home late, looking as if she was in a fight
Want stays home and trembles in the dark with fear
Covers her ears and hums so scary sounds won’t hear
There is nothing that the child can look to with pride
Little hope for change for her circumstances provide
In school, it is almost certain that she will not succeed
She lacks food, clothing, encouragement—every need
Want is destined to look old many years before her time
Just when a young lady should expect to be in her prime
Will she meekly accept her life or will she perhaps rebel
Become one of the “always poor” or else a child of hell?
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