responsibility

it is the responsibility

of the village

to protect its children

to watch over them

day and night

to tuck them safely

into cribs with lullabies

it is the responsibility

of the village

to protect the children

they are gifts

to be cherished

as the poet said

they do not belong to us

they are not possessions

for our disposal

they are precious

trusting souls

it is the responsibility

of the village

to protect the children

against the self interests

of revered individuals

beloved institutions

who would do them harm

while claiming honor

it is the responsibility

of the village

to fall upon its knees

in repentance

before the children

it fails

it is the responsibility

of the world

global village

to see the big picture

the beliefs/the cultures in place

that foster and allow

horrific harm

the priorities

idolatries

that create

the context

the pathology

of the abuse of children

and the turning of our heads

it is the responsibility

of the global village

to be the change

the world of change

needed to end the

suffering of our children

and to be it now.

christie smith stephens

11-11-11 copyright.