To the Children We Forget

A Spoken Word Reflection for Children's Day

How about we talk about childhood?
And of course, it’s Children’s Day.

But celebrating Children’s Day shouldn’t just be about ice-cream and meat pie
It should be about celebrating innocence.
That pure, untainted essence of being young, of being human.

Photo by Pawan Sharma on Unsplash

So, what do you wish the child
Who got hit for every mistake,
Turned into a punching bag,
Made to hustle through crowded streets,
Carrying trays, shouting for sales
Because that’s where the next meal will come from.
And if things don’t sell out,
They face the wrath of the ones meant to protect them.

What do you wish the child
Whose parents abandoned them,
Who became an adult from the moment they took their first breath?

What do you say to the child
Who still flinches at the memory of that teacher,
The one meant to mould minds,
But treated trust like stolen akara
Handled, tasted, and tossed.
The one who said, “You’re my best pupil,”
But stole more than innocence.
Or the “uncle” who buys biscuits in exchange for silence,
Hiding behind Sunday greetings and family ties
Wolves in soft wrappers and sweet voices.

What do you say to the child
Who sleeps under bridges because there’s no roof,
No room, no place to feel safe or held?

Or is Children’s Day only for those who are cared for,
Held, seen, fed, loved—
At least most of the time?

When will the broken children be part of the celebration?
The ones who smile but sneer,
Because everyone is a suspect.
The ones who are quiet in the noise,
Who’ve lost their identity because of what was done to them.

When will they be seen?

When will we adults stop looking away,
And finally take up the call
To listen to the future crying out
To speak, to protect, to help them heal?

Photo by Navid Sohrabi on Unsplash

So dear child,
Please, heal.
Please, speak up.
Please, speak out.
You matter.
And today, we see you too.

Happy Children's Day!