Lost Children

Lost Children
by Flory DiPaola

I walk along and they are there,
walking with me and my dog; everywhere.
I ask silently to myself where do they live?
How is it they are alone?  What can I do or give?
Worry torments my heart for their little souls.
Is anyone in their home life concerned about their goals?
Are they aware their child is young, under 10 and out at night?
Do they worry what might happen when their child is out of sight?
I wonder and ponder on this most every day.
As they children follow me along as I walk and sway.
I ask if their parents know where they are.
Usually they say they don’t care where I am or how far.
Sad little faces stir in my dreams while I sleep.
Fear that someone not nice will hurt them; that creep.
How do I say,
to a parent that their child may not be there some day?
How do I tell the young adults of today?
A child is special and should be cared for in every way?
The lost children of this world are growing in leaps.
I fear one day their bodies may be found in even larger heaps.