Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen Poet Free verse

It Takes a Whole Village To Raise a Child: the Merchants

The Merchants:
It has been said that it takes a whole village
To raise a child; How does a merchant help
Families raise the children?

Merchants live in the village; and together,
Everyone helps raise the children.
 How do they help?

The merchants in the village fill the stores.
Parents go there to buy food, clothes and more.
Young people have needs for many things: 
Groceries, clothes, shoes, garden hoses, and string.
It’s not like the hunter-gatherer days.
When, the men hunted together to bring the food.
They knew how to help the children.
They taught them how to survive and stay alive.
The children watched and listened.
Today, men and women still help
Raise the village children.
The children watch as the merchants work.
They help by selling goods and setting examples.
Good or bad, the children watch wide eyed
And ears perked!

© Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen
March 19, 2010
Poetic form:  Free Verse

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Margaret Foster March 19, 2010 at 6:20 PM It is most often by example that children learn the art of living, well or otherwise. And, as you clearly show, everyone around them plays a part. A good write Dane Ann....love Margaret

Carolyn Devonshire March 19, 2010 at 4:13 PM Guess we all have roles to play in raising children. Nice explanation of the old adage, Dane Ann! Love, Carolyn