I like to believe my heart is strong
Tho’ it has been broken countless times
Only time mends the battle wounds
Scars are all that is left to heal
Until it is severed once again

Little hearts so pure with simplicity
Seeking guidance, care and happiness
Someone to repay their never-ending love
Affection they hope to receive from mommy
That undying pure love that God created

A neighbor concerned over a child
Can someone of authority check on them?
Was everything in order inside the home?
Young children that had been playful
Unseen for days as hoodlum’s come and go

When asked, mom says everything is well
They’re my kids for now
Unless you want them, really cheap
They don’t eat much and their quiet
You can have your pick, ha ha

As I went inside this nasty, dirty hell
The stench of excrement was nauseating
As I covered my mouth and nose with a cloth
I wondered what could possibly stink this bad
How can anyone live in this filth?

The bathroom was coated with scum
The animals had soiled every rug
A decaying carcass lay near a child’s bed
The floor was falling through
The holes in the ceiling were enormous

My stinging eyes met a small smile
She was lying in a pile of dirty clothes
It appeared to be the cleanest spot by far
Her ribs were showing and she was filthy
I ask her name and if she was hungry

She nodded and ran to her mother
The drugged out so-called parent
Shoved the child away and cursed
Huge tears flowed down her cheeks
Leaving a trail of tears in the grime

There was no food to be found
No milk or nourishment of any kind
The table was covered with beer cans
Empty from last night’s party
Needles and pill bottles everywhere

This so-called mom didn’t know us
The uniform and badge were blurred
Her eyes so glazed she couldn’t see
Then she asked the unimaginable
Want to use her for sexy pictures?

I clenched my fist and my anger awoke
I wanted to send her straight to hell
My mind raced, searching for control
My heart exploded with pity and hate
More poison was all she craved

As I picked the starving baby up with care
She cried for her mommy to deliver her
I was seen as a loathed evil enemy
Stealing her from the only haven she knew
Despicable Mom spent the night in jail

This little girl deserved a savior
Our great system had abandoned her
The small child with the sinless smile
Grew into a troubled teen
Mom overdosed on her revered drugs

The little girl has grown malicious and violent
She stays in touch by getting arrested
Every time she still ask for my help
Oh God all of this could have been prevented
We wage war on drugs, to what success?

It is essential that we fight for the cause
We must prevail for these tiny victims
Ones that are born into this underworld
Addicts choose, victims can’t
God help the lost souls in this winless war

I continually ask God to forgive us
For so many lives are lost to these demons
Just when I think my heart has healed
I witness innocent victims losing their life’s battle
The scar of war mauls my heart yet again

Jerry Robards
21 March 2002

One way or another we all have become victims to this evil.