When children struggle, it is not always
because the world is too difficult—
sometimes it is because the adults
around them have become untrustworthy.
This poem listens closely to the
unspoken questions children hold,
and turns a quiet but piercing gaze
toward the responsibility of grown-ups.
It is not an accusation shouted aloud,
but a mirror held steadily in place.
“Children in Distress”
What wrongs have you done to children?
One excuse gives rise to another injustice.
One lie spreads corruption after
corruption.
One act of insincerity breeds mistrust
again and again.
Children reject adults who are dull and
empty.
With the words, “You’re just a child,”
newly born doubts are smoothed over and
dismissed.
Words that are spoken fail to reach the
heart.
An intimidating attitude seeks nothing
but obedience.
Children do not admire adults.
Adults who are egoists, unfit to be role
models.
Adults who are too ugly to become examples.
Adults who soil the very idea of a role
model
with nothing but empty talk.
Children cannot endure it.
Why must we study?
What makes a school a “good” school?
What kind of person are we told to become?
Children are troubled by adults.
They cannot follow adults who are
untrustworthy.
They cannot entrust themselves to liars.
They cannot open their hearts
to adults without compassion.
Children do not understand.
What their friends are doing,
what they themselves are about to do,
what the troubled adults are doing,
or what will come next.
There is only one thing they have
understood:
they do not want to become
this kind of adult.