I wish I had seen

that it can be courageous to say no,

When Johnny had  pleaded and wanted to go

With the friends we didn’t even know

To some dance or drive-in picture show –

I wish I had seen

the possibility of alcohol or drugs

Instead of the nod and a simple little shrug,

Believing that teenagers are all the same these days

They all have the same ways –

I wish I had seen

that offending Johnny’s friends was not wrong,

To stand up to a young boy’s will so strong

I thought it would pass, it was just a craze

To be like others, - a passing phase.

I wish I had seen

That is didn’t matter if I came across too hard

And I should not have bothered that it could possibly mar

What little we had in common or shared together

But I know now it would not have mattered – ever.

I wish I had seen

That to be so passive and aloof

Was certainly substantial proof

That I was not communicating with the child in my care

And now it’s all some ugly nightmare.

I wish I  had seen

That Johhny might not have died that day,

If I had been more careful about his way –

But there is an IF in everything I do,

What is right?  IF only I knew.

I WISH I HAD SEEN.