Lost Children of the Street

Looking no older than thirteen Sitting on the street corner On cold wet concrete Cup in hand for coins Lit cigarette in the other Eyes vacant and parched from old tears Skin weathered way before its time What or who went wrong Was no one there to protect you What of your childhood curiosity and joy When was the last time you were free to Laugh wholeheartedly or dance exuberantly What injustice or bully stole your youth Abused and violated your innocence All too many futile useless questions Hats off to the earthly angels who roam the streets Seeking out youths who are ready to Accept help to turn their lives around and find purpose given a second chance AP: 1st place 2022, 3rd place 2020 Submitted on March 31, 2020 for contest CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD sponsored by CRAIG CORNISH on March 24, 2018 for contest SOCIAL JUSTICE FREE VERSE sponsored by JOHN HAMILTON - RANKED 3RD on March 21, 2018 for contest FAVORITE FREE VERSE sponsored by LAURA LOO