When fear of death came late in life,

When no child ever knew or heard of strife,

When children were raised by husband and wife,

No reason for a kid to carry to school a knife…

When kids did of their elders respect,

None of us or them were ever perfect,

Everyone’s parents did of us all protect,

There was no such thing as child neglect…

Before guns became toys,

Before girls in gangs did join boys,

Back when being with parents presented joys,

Way back when little girls did present to all poise…

© ed ~ 10/6/06