God, bless the children

when i was a child

i played as happily as a child

i laughed hysterically at jokes i didn't understand.

when i was a child

i asked countless questions

i was more trusting of people and i believed their words.

when i was a child

i loved big airplanes, barbies and horse racing

i loved visits to my father on week-ends.

when i was a child

i believed in the tooth fairy and monsters under the bed

i wanted so badly to go to wonderland with alice.

i was more playful

i took more risks as a child

i never broke any promises.

when i was a child

i cherished bedtime stories

i always went to sleep with a night lamp.

when i was a child

i spoke as children do

and i knew my place.

when i was a child

i got punished when i should

but i was never beaten.

i was never tied to a chair and forgotten

i was never put in a microwave or an oven

i was never found in a trash can.

i was never starved or neglected

i was never abused or misused or stomped on

i was never alone.

oh children of today

who are robbed of a wonderful childhood

who are forced to grow up too fast.

who never laugh and know no joy

i love you because i don't know

if i could make it today the way you do.

and all i have are tales

of a woman who was once a child

but has since put away those things.

God, bless the children

please, bless the children.

thank you.