A Safe, Forever Home

Written when I was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Abused and Neglected Children (CASA) for an event to promote fostering or adoption

December 1, 2001

When you’re abused and neglected and you’re just a little kid,

You’re taken from your parents for the things they never did.

Or maybe it was some bad acts that caused the hurt and shame,

And you end up in the system feeling you are all to blame.

The social workers care and fulfill your basic needs,

But who can mend the shattered heart that caused your soul to bleed?

For now you move from home to home hoping for a match,

And wonder why they just can’t see how much you are “a catch”.

Your heart’s caught up in turmoil when you miss your family so,

But you’ve got this house, good food and care – it seems the way to go.

Especially when they discover that your folks don’t want you back,

The grief of that desertion turns your entire world to black.

You wonder who could want you since your Mama dropped you there.

You must have some huge gaping flaws of which you’re not aware.

So you sit right down and wonder why nobody wants you now,

You want a home, someone to care, and you get all that just how?

You find you have to wait until a perfect match is found,

But you’re too young or much too old, your jokes fail to astound.

You find they never want to adopt a kid they know has pain,

They worry that your sad, sad life has left you quite insane.

And you wonder why they can’t see through the defensive show you flaunt,

A little time and a lot of love will make you one to want.

But then they see your green eyes, and it’s brown was on their list,

Can’t they see my good points or will they all be missed?

So I sit and wait and always pray that someone chooses me,

But without adoptive families this likely just won’t be.

Maybe I’ll keep moving and get tough to stand the pain,

I’ll hang out with the bad dudes and my life goes down the drain.

Please don’t ever think that you lack what most kids need,

Attention, love and caring are what really plant the seed.

The seed that causes growth and pride and self-esteem will bloom,

Just grab a kid and lift him up to save him from the gloom.

Single folk or poor doesn’t mean you lack the love,

To take a child from sadness and lift him high above.

So when you leave be sure to grab some spirit from each kid,

And give your friends and family a pinch of pain to rid.

Adopt a child or foster too so all get the very best care,

And inform as many are willing to hear, so more become aware.

The world is full of hate and war, but we can do our part,

Lift a child, watch him grow, and give him a brand new start.