When I look around what do I see?
Faces hiding pain behind their courage
Looking back at me.
It is hard to take all this in,
When I am provided with everything I need and more,
To think about where these kids have been,
Trying to find a place- knocking at each door.
At only 7 years old, these kids have been through a lot,
I close my eyes and wince at the thought,
That some have had to go through watching their parents get shot.
Now, without a roof over their head,
Not much money at all,
Not even enough for all to have a bed,
Let alone enough to buy toys or a doll,
Abode services provides a place to feel safe and sound,
Joyous laughter filling the rooms,
Security all around.
Even through all the hard times,
And having to save each and every one of their dimes,
When I go to help out,
To tutor or play with these little kids,
They manage to stay positive and move happily about.
It pulls at the strings of my heart,
As they hurry to me,
When I walk in, to me they dart
Screaming with glee,
As I try my best to give each
Attention they deserve,
We play and then I teach,
To help them improve their learning curve.
They struggle but are strong,
No matter how hard each day is,
No matter how long.
They end it with a smile,
That lights up so bright it can be seen for a mile.
It is heartbreaking to think about the pain in their lives,
So every time I see them, I give them high fives,
For being the brave little soldiers they are,
And when they win the battle,
Each will be a victorious star.