Future Hope

peek-a-boo echoes across a yard
laughter is heard everywhere
children in their private world
life without a care
5^th grade and 6^th grade
so young, so innocent
a part of the next generation
on which our future depends
today a dark cloud is forming over their heads
it seems life is no longer safe
there are killers roaming our neighborhoods
knocking on random doors
they don’t care about age or sex
they don’t seem to notice color
they just kill for the thrill of it
leaving behind grieving mother’s
parents always taught each child
never trust a stranger
stay away from unknown cars
protect yourself from danger
today that advice seems to have failed
the killers are no longer dirty old men
they are the children living right next door
who have yet to learn about sin
their parents working all day
they lock the kids in darkened rooms
soon their minds slip away
planting seeds of future doom
some kill for attention
some kill to show their tough
some kill for the thrill
some because they can’t get enough

how can we protect our future
the future of our children
if we cannot save them
earth will fade into oblivion