LISTEN TO THE WORDS OF A CHILD

Teddy, I've been bad again
My Mommy told me so;
I'm not quite sure what I did wrong
But I though that you might know

When I woke up this morning
I knew that she was mad
Cause she was crying awful hard,
And yelling at my Dad

I tried my best to be real good
And do just what she said
I cleaned my room all by myself,
I even made my bed.

But I spilled milk on my good shirt,
When she yelled at me to hurry
And I guess she didn't hear me,
When I told her I was sorry

Cause she hit me awful hard, you see,
And called me funny names;
And told me I was really bad
And I should be ashamed

When I said, "I love you Mommy,"
I guess she didn't understand;
Cause she yelled at me to shut my mouth.
Or I'd get smacked again

So, I came up here to talk to you
Please tell me what to do
Cause I really love my Mommy,
And I know she loves me, too

And I don't think my Mommy means,
To hit me quite so hard;
I guess sometimes, grown ups forget
How really big they are

So Teddy, I wish you were real
And you weren't just a bear
Then you could help me find a way
To tell Mommies every where

To please try hard to understand
How sad it makes us feel;
Cause the outside pain soon goes a way,
But the inside never heals

And if we could make them listen,
Maybe then they'd understand;
So other children just like me
Wouldn't have to hurt again

But, for now, I guess I'll hold you tight,
And pretend the pain's not there.
I know you'd never hurt me,
So Goodnight, Teddy Bear ..

Cindy Pike Dunning

I GOT FLOWERS TODAY

   I got flowers today 
It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.
  Last night we had a fight and he hit me, 
But I know he is sorry 
Cause I got flowers today 

I got flowers today 
It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.
  Last night he threw me against the wall
and started to choke me, 
But I know he's sorry,
  Cause I got flowers today 

I got flowers today 
It wasn't Mothers day or any other special day
  I was so swollen and bruised
I was ashamed to answer the door 
But I know he's sorry,
  Cause I got flowers today 

If I leave him, where will I go?
  What about money? what about my kids?
  It's getting worse every time
but I'm afraid to leave
  But I know he's sorry
  Cause I got flowers today

  I got flowers today 
My family and friends filed by to see me
  Asking why I never left him, 
If I only had the strength and courage to,
but I didn't 
So I got Flowers today
 

  Copyright© 1992 Paulette Kelly