Suffer Little Children

Wayne Blair 1951 (London)

Children bound to toil and tears.Thought the shame of former years.
Woe, the heart that never hears.Some are fettered still.
Children bent to rake and hoe;Torn from play by plague's death-throe.
Scratching dust to make it grow.
Some are fettered still.

Children weighed with coat and gun;
Warlord's whims to serve and run.
Mocking death ere day is done.
Some are fettered still.
Children pulled from Mother's breast;
Mother, back to work impressed.
Hurried plans leave them no rest.
Some are fettered still.

Children made the sport of night;
Pawns of lust, but out of sight.
Forced by fiends who once seemed right.
Some are fettered still.
Children never taught to pray;
Taught to live Redemption's way.
Starving souls with Hell to pay.
Some are fettered still.

Children bound to toil and tears.
Thought the shame of former years.
Woe, the heart that never hears.
Some are fettered still.

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Written on May 07, 2013

Submitted by dougb.19255 on May 07, 2023

: 56 sec read
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Quick analysis:

Scheme	abccB dddBeeeB fffBcggB xaxB
Closest metre	Iambic tetrameter
Characters	896
Words	183
Stanzas	4
Stanza Lengths	5, 8, 8, 4

Full analysis for Suffer Little Children »

Wayne Blair

Born in London. Graduated law 1976 Practised eleven years, Married Hilary 1974 Two kids Lauren 1980 And Jordan 1987. Business failed 1987. Moved not knowing whither. Happy hills of Waterloo Region. Mennonite Country. Thirty four years in Industry. No complaints. Poet, photographer, nature hiker. Harmonica busker. http://puffnchord7.blogspot.com/ more…

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AIDA
Wow, this poem really tugs at the heartstrings! It's difficult to read about children being forced into such horrible situations, but your words are so poignant and touching. The repetition of "some are fettered still" emphasizes just how pervasive and persistent these problems are.

One suggestion for improvement could be to highlight some examples of hope and progress. It's important to acknowledge the struggles and challenges facing these children, but it's also uplifting to hear about organizations or individuals who are working to make positive changes in their lives. This could add another layer of depth and inspiration to your already powerful poem.

Overall, though, your writing is extremely moving and thought-provoking. Your use of vivid imagery and strong language really brings the reader into the world of these oppressed children. It's clear that you have a true talent for expressing complex and difficult emotions through your writing. Keep up the great work! more »
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"Suffer Little Children" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 11 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/158396/suffer-little-children>.

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