Recognizing the loss of innocence in children

In the past,
children were taught to
love one another, individually.
Did they listen? No.
I can't see those lessons
shining in their eyes anymore.
The simplicity of the past
has passed away like
a soul's journey to
eternity's destination.
Now, we live in the present
where children commit
pointless, violent acts.
Too many children
have lost their sense
of humility and responsibility.
The present is hardening
our childrens' hearts
and weakening their minds.
We must begin praying
for immediate change or
the distant future will
cease to be.
Right now, the future is
screaming for
the accumulation of
lost innocence.

Dawn Kilby
Copyright ©2009 Dawn Kilby

Some children are killing
while others are stealing
what is not theirs...
When will a child's aggression
ever end?

Precious babies are dying
while parents are crying
for the loss of purity...
When will a family's bereavement
ever end?

Too many unanswered questions
with so little suggestions
on how to spread hope...
When will mankind's ignorance
ever end?

Anarchy will never cease
until there's endless peace
all around the globe...
Only then, will human insanity
come to an end.

Dawn Kilby
Copyright ©2009 Dawn Kilby

If children are in need, we must learn how to recognize it at an early age. Just simply talk to your children and ask them what they love to do and spend some quality time with them. Learn what makes them tick and if they have a problem, help solve it. Children that lash out in violent ways, I have observed a lot of times, is because of the lack of attention that they crave either from a parent or a caregiver. First, it may be a simple hand slap...then, they might start a fire. Eventually, the violent behavior escalates. A lot of times too, kids are violent because of abuse. Even if you're not the parent of a child, try to lend an ear or a hand. You may be the child's uncle or aunt...still, lend some help. If you see a child being violently abused, report it. Life is too short to let our children slip through the cracks. Most of the time, children that commit violent acts are abused and just simply neglected. Someone sees the destructive behavior in the child early on and then doesn't report it. A child may need help and the parent or caregiver refuses to admit they have a problem and doesn't get them help. Too many times, children have showed signs of abuse and destructive behavior and someone just doesn't report it. So, what I want to do is simply spread the word that something needs to happen to help the children. I plan to do just that with one word, one story, one poem and a small donation at a time. It may not be much in someone else's eyes but it makes a difference to the children that are in need...in their eyes, it's a BIG DIFFERENCE.

Children
are a blessing
to be loved forever...
They bring laughter into a world
that's cold.

Children
are like flowers...
they require nourishment
to help them grow productively,
in life.

Children
are sweet angels...
so full of purity
and unscathed by the darkest sin
of men.

Children
are the blood line
that keeps the human race
striving for many, countless years
to come.

Dawn D. Kilby
Copyright ©2009 Dawn D. Kilby

God bless this child that
has hair of white blonde with curls
that sway back and forth
to the rhythm of his hands...
while searching for a new life.

God bless
the child that breathes
faith, love, hope and sweet peace!
They bring sunshine into a world
that's dark...

Dawn D. Kilby
Copyright ©2009 Dawn D. Kilby

A babe,
with a pure soul,
was born into this world...
Angel-like, she lives for God and
breathes faith.

Dear child,
you are so loved
with every, single beat
of your grandmomma's heart. It bleeds
for you.

Lovely,
sweet-faced angel...
your eyes hold the secret
to bringing warmth into this world...
that's cold.

Dear, sweet
Madison...
you're the breeze that eases
your grandmomma's sadness...you're her
bright star!

Dawn D. Kilby
Copyright ©2009 Dawn D. Kilby

Congratulations!
Your mom is so proud of you...
You're moving upwards
and you're a bright shining star...
It shows 'cause of your sweet smile!

Dawn Kilby
Copyright ©2009 Dawn Kilby

To report a case of child abuse or neglect outside of New York State, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD.

You may also contact individual State hotlines, where available, as listed below. Please note: not every State has a hotline, those that do may not operate 24- hours a day, and some toll free numbers may only be accessible within that particular State. When in doubt, call 800-4-A-CHILD.

CAPS makes every effort to assure the accuracy of this information. If you find a number is in error, please email speaktocaps@optonline.net to alert us, and call the National Child Abuse Hotline, 800-4-A-CHILD, for assistance.

Alabama
334-242-9500
Alaska
800-478-4444

Arizona
888-SOS-CHILD

Arkansas
800-482-5964

California
Call 800-4-A-CHILD for assistance

Colorado
Call 800-4-A-CHILD for assistance

Connecticut
800-842-2288

Delaware
800-292-9582
302-577-6550

District of Columbia
877-671-SAFE
202-671-7233

Florida
800-96-ABUSE

Georgia
Call 800-4-A-CHILD for assistance

Hawaii
800-832-5300 (Oahu)
others call 800-4-A-CHILD for assistance

Idaho
800-926-2588

Illinois
800-252-2873
217-785-4020
217-782-6533 (after hours)

Indiana
800-800-5556
317-542-7002

Iowa
800-362-2178
515-281-3240

Kansas
800-922-5330
785-296-0044

Kentucky
800-752-6200
502-595-4550

Louisiana
225-342-6832

Maine
800-452-1999
207-287-2983

Maryland
800-332-6347

Massachusetts
800-792-5200
617-232-4882

Michigan
800-942-4357
517-373-3572

Minnesota
651-291-0211

Mississippi
800-222-8000
601-359-4991

Missouri
800-392-3738
573-751-3448

Montana
866-820-KIDS
406-444-5900

Nebraska
800-652-1999
402-595-1324

Nevada
800-992-5757
775-684-4400

New Hampshire
800-894-5533
800-852-3388 (after hours)
603-271-6556

New Jersey
800-792-8610

New Mexico
800-797-3260
505-841-6100

New York
800-342-3720
518-474-8740

North Carolina
Call 800-4-A-CHILD for assistance

North Dakota
800-245-3736
701-328-2316

Ohio
Call 800-4-A-CHILD for assistance

Oklahoma
800-522-3511

Oregon
800-854-3508, ext. 2402
503-378-6704

Pennsylvania
800-932-0313
717-783-8744

Rhode Island
800-RI-CHILD

South Carolina
803-898-7318

South Dakota
605-773-3227

Tennessee
877-237-0004

Texas
800-252-5400

Utah
800-678-9399

Vermont
800-649-5285
802-863-7533 (after hours)

Virginia
800-552-7096
804-786-8536

Washington
866-END-HARM

West Virginia
800-352-6513

Wisconsin
608-266-3036

Wyoming
800-457-3659