©
2001 Susan Maree Jeavons
In August 2001, I received an invitation
from Carol Neal Rossi, the Communications
Director of Prevent Child Abuse NC. PCANC
is the state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse
America and is a statewide, citizen-based,
nonprofit organization dedicated to the
prevention of child abuse and neglect in
all forms.
Ms.
Rossi visited Child Abuse and Recovery at
Suite101.com and after reading some of my
poetry, invited me to read one of my poems
about child abuse at the 6th Annual Child
Abuse Homicide Victims Candlelight Vigil
in Raleigh, North Carolina on Friday September
28th, 2001. I was gratified and honored
to accept the invitation. I had previously
planned a trip to NC to see my grandmother.
After
the terrorists attacks on September 11th,
I almost canceled the trip. I was filled
with apprehension about traveling that far
from home. I worried about my children and
grandchildren, my husband and the nation.
I dreamed up frightening scenarios and wondered
what my family would do if something happened
while I was gone. I even wondered whether
or not this trip would be a selfish indulgence.
Then I thought about terrorism and its intent-to
intimidate, frighten and control others.
It triggered a memory of a frightened little
girl and that's when I knew that I had to
carry through with my plans, for if I had
given in to my fear, the terrorists would
have won.
I
had taken several poems with me and still
hadn't decided which one to read. After
dinner at the Top of the Tower Restaurant,
we walked to the State Capitol. I was amazed
at how quiet and deserted the city seemed.
The
first image I saw was a very powerful and
somber one. Thirty tiny shirts had been
hung on a clothesline across the face of
the building. Each shirt contained the name
and age of a murdered child. As I read the
names and ages, I cried. After seeing this
emotional scene, I returned to the hotel
and in thirty minutes, wrote a new poem.
The words to this poem truly seemed to be
divine inspiration. I wanted people to really
see inside the soul of an abused child.
I Am the Child
You
and I have never met
But I am the child you must not forget.
I am the child who whimpered in pain.
I am the child who was beaten and slain.
I am the child who cried at night.
I am the child whose future was bright.
I am the child whose fear was real.
I am the child whose scars won't heal.
I am the child you see each day,
Who is not your problem, so you turn away.
I am the child, the child so small
Who only wanted to be loved, that's all.
You and I have never met,
But I am the child you must not forget.
© 2001 Susan Maree Jeavons
The
vigil began at 7:30 am and after the closing
ceremony, ended at midnight. Each thirty
minutes was devoted to one child, and included
candle lighting and the story of how each
child died. It was a cold evening, but as
I prepared to read my poem, I remembered
something my friend Jackie had told me once.
She said, "The children who instill
such passion in you to write your poetry,
are looking down from heaven and cheering
you on." When the speaker called my
name, I immediately relaxed and felt warm.
We
all have something to offer in this fight
to stop child abuse, whether it is time,
money or our creative talents. There is
a light within each of us that can shine
through in the lessons we teach our children.
Children really do learn what they live.
If you are an abuser, get help before your
child becomes one more statistic.
Although
the vigil was solemn, I knew this was something
I was meant to do. I know the child who
cried at night. I know the child who only
wanted to be loved. I symbolize the child
you must not forget.
