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Idiot

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This was a hard poem to write, and harder still to select a photo, the photo you see is not of this little girl I have written about, and quite frankly, I couldn’t show some of the photos I did find, they were simple too horrendous. It pains me, I physically hurt to think of any child having to suffer, especially at the hand of those who should love and protect a child. Whether war or abuse, robbing a child of their childhood, is is one of the saddest event I could think of. This poem in a way helps explain my poem “Love and Hate”

This poem was based on the following event:

Abused 4-year-old child tells police her name is 'Idiot'

(CNN)The little girl was abused so badly she had a black eye, dried blood in the corner of her mouth and deep purple bruises all over her body. But it's what she said when asked her name that's truly startling.

"Idiot."

The girl is only 4. She lived with her mother, Jennifer Denen, and Denen's live-in boyfriend, Clarence Reed, in a home in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Police say she was called an "idiot" so often and for so long that it was the word that sprung to her young mind when a social worker asked her name.

Idiot You with the black eye Idiot You all bruised and blue Idiot You with dried blood and no hope Idiot You who climbs and plays Idiot You who feels hungers pain Idiot You who was born into the rain Idiot You who never saw a rainbow Idiot You who is all of four years old Angel Rescued at last from satan's helpers grasp Idiots Little child who suffered so You so sadly found your parents were foe You have been restrained in bondage By the blackness of human shame Tears rains down Thinking why the devil plays such games Deep purple bruising, Only the surface pain May your first four years Never exist again May a thousand cuddly hugs and a thousand loving smiles Blanket your heart and tickle your tummy Saved You are gods little angel Safe and sound at last Loved * see notes

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Jolene Cheyney

Date: 8/30/2016 9:50:00 PM

Heart-wrenching, painful to the very core of me. But brilliantly written. I wish nobody ever had to write another poem like that ever again. I wish nobody ever had to experience those things ever again. Okay, now I want to sob. If only those wishes could come true. Only the hands of time could go in reverse and make everything okay.

Allan Koven

Date: 8/30/2016 12:32:00 PM

Art, have read many of your poems. Most of them are brilliant! And the artwork...well you are some special creative force. When I get on again will check your work. Allan

Gary Bateman

Date: 8/26/2016 5:00:00 AM

Hello Arthur, I must tell you that this write really moved me!! I really commend your work and courage in tackling such a difficult theme. You bring such emotive power to this story of such terrible child abuse. (I hope the two people who have perpetrated that despicable treatment of this little girl have been swift brought to justice!! It's hard for me to call these perps "people.") An Outstanding Write on a very difficult theme. God Bless this little girl . . . She's an Angel!! Best, Gary

Lynn Marie

Date: 8/23/2016 7:42:00 PM

Congratulations on the fine placement in 'Best new poem's' Arthur's :-) The more exposure...the more awareness... Thank you for all you do in this regard :-) bundles of blessings, lynn

Robert Pettit

Date: 8/23/2016 1:39:00 PM

Nice write about a sad, ubiquitous dilemma.

Carole Duet

Date: 8/22/2016 10:20:00 PM

Beautiful child, great poem/dedication, horrible subject. I hope her parents are as deep in jail as they are deep in sin and someday will probably be deep in hell. "God HATES the shedding of innocent blood."

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:21:00 AM

Well said :)

Agnes Krampe

Date: 8/22/2016 4:23:00 PM

great poem on a horrifying subject.

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:07:00 AM

Thank you, difficult topic I know!

Laura Hay

Date: 8/22/2016 4:28:00 AM

I really like how the poem shifts from dark to light. Excellent write on a difficult subject. I can't even begin to imagine the pain this child suffered. Sick to my stomach when I read or hear of these horrific events. The perpetrators should be neuked! I for one could never forgive such heinous crimes towards children.

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:07:00 AM

I feel your words and emotions, I hope one day we learn how to prevent such things!

Vladislav Raven

Date: 8/21/2016 11:34:00 AM

Hi Arthur this is an emotionally touching write, and me being me, the anger does well up at seeing the picture. Funny that, tears of sad emotion for the write, anger for the picture. What i would like to do with such people, and I'm a pacifist. This is such excellent poetry on such a hard theme Arthur. The tears fall and the emotions are strong within me. This is the reality, no one is truly safe in this world. This is a seven and a fave Arthur. Have a good day....Mike.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 8/21/2016 7:55:00 AM

What a crime and what a shame for all the human race! Congratulations for writing on the subject dear Arthur!

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:06:00 AM

Thanks Demetrios, I hope as humanity we find a way to do better!

Aurore Severo

Date: 8/20/2016 11:07:00 PM

tears I am tears, never could I imagine this, xoxo peace and love

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:05:00 AM

Thank you my friend!

Seren Roberts

Date: 8/20/2016 8:52:00 PM

oh my, what evil people could hurt a child so. thank you for bringing it to my attention I feel so upset. .... Seren

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:04:00 AM

Thank you Seren!

Robert Lindley

Date: 8/20/2016 8:41:00 PM

Sad beyond belief. Does anybody here think those that did this to that little innocent child will receive true justice? They should be executed or at last given life without parole. Our system is so messed up now, they will suffer neither and will get little more than a slap on the wrists. Arthur brilliant poem , yes those were Satan's helpers doing this..

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:04:00 AM

I often wonder what happened to the parents to make them like that, there is no excuse, I would much rather break the cycle and save future children, than any retribution, as much as its our nature to wish it.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/20/2016 6:52:00 PM

this is very moving, Arthur. SHAME on those evil parents to do this to her. I am happy for folks like you in the world who abhor this sort of thing

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:02:00 AM

Thanks Andrea, I think we all feel the same, I just wish it to never happen again.

Alexis Y.

Date: 8/20/2016 3:40:00 PM

Hi Authur, This write moved me tears. That little angel didn't deserve such treatment. No she is not the idot. The ones who were supposed to love and protect her are the"real" idiots.You bring awarness to revelant issues. For that I thank you:( Alexis

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:01:00 AM

No child does, simply breaks my heart!

Paul Callus

Date: 8/20/2016 1:47:00 PM

A beautiful poem sprouting from such a sad situation. In my eyes there's nothing worse than child abuse...abusing their fragility and innocence. Full marks to you, Arthur. Regards // paul

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:01:00 AM

Thank you Paul, I feel exactly the same way!

Tim Smith

Date: 8/20/2016 11:27:00 AM

This so sad Arthur...I cried when I heard the story...how can people do this...please put the child in the arms of someone who will love them if you can not love them yourself...a favorite

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/31/2016 12:00:00 AM

I would gladly open my arms as i am sure you would, thank you

John Hamilton

Date: 8/20/2016 10:06:00 AM

Arthur, you have moved me to tears, this is a beautiful child, never should she have to endure this again, may your last stanza be true in her case. "God will wipe out every tear from our eyes no more mourning or pain will be any more. Rev21:3,4 That's my hope.

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/21/2016 6:23:00 PM

Yes, I only wish this type of thing never existed at all.

Casarah Nance

Date: 8/20/2016 8:08:00 AM

This brought me to tears so bad...

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/21/2016 11:17:00 AM

Yes, I only wish this type of thing never existed at all.

Jan Allison

Date: 8/20/2016 7:55:00 AM

I think this is one of the saddest poems I've ever read Arthur - am too choked up to say more except Bravo on your poem:-( Hugs Jan xx

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/21/2016 11:17:00 AM

Thanks Jan, I was choked up when writing it.

Abosede Ogundare

Date: 8/20/2016 7:02:00 AM

I had to control the tears not to spill,this is soo sad. You're no 'idiot' dear sweet little one ...you wrote this so well Arthur.

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/21/2016 11:16:00 AM

Thank you kindly was not easy to write.

Winged Warrior

Date: 8/20/2016 6:08:00 AM

It is for me... the saddest thing in the world to see...when a child is abused...we must stop the madness...your poem arthur is a start...I bow...god bless the children...^WW^

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/20/2016 8:51:00 PM

Thank you so much, it was so sad, I hope her wee little life will be much better now!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 8/20/2016 5:46:00 AM

This breaks my heart. I want to adopt her. God bless her and all children like her. Your poem brought tears Arthur. 7

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/20/2016 8:50:00 PM

Ops sorry one of the comments was for Eileen!

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/20/2016 8:49:00 PM

Thank you Connie, so do I, in a heartbeat, this was my first thought!

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/20/2016 8:48:00 PM

Yes, it was hard to write, I guess hard to read, and so sad, It pains me that any child should suffer. Hugs!

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/20/2016 3:51:00 AM

So So sad....what can one write in response to the story you have shared. There is a day of reckoning. For that i am grateful. Thanks for expending the emotional energy for bringing this to light. hugs

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/20/2016 8:50:00 PM

Yes, it was hard to write, I guess hard to read, and so sad, It pains me that any child should suffer. Hugs!

Lynn Marie

Date: 8/20/2016 12:25:00 AM

Very well written, devastatingly heartbreaking to read...this cutie didn't just "read" it though. I would like to believe that making such horrors public, would stop this tragedy from happening again. You have begun a dialogue, my wish is that through awareness, we can all be more attuned to things that don't feel or seem right within our own communities. May love, patience and kindness help this little girl to heal. many blessings, lynn

Lynn Marie
Date: 8/20/2016 12:41:00 AM

..you wrote the poem, "shining a light"...thank you for enlightening us all :-) :-)

Arthur Vaso
Date: 8/20/2016 12:30:00 AM

You have said it all better than I, thank you.