I WAS ONCE A CHILD

Though I'm grown today

I was once a child.

Now I cross roads myself,

Then I was helped.

I go to school myself,

Then I was taken there.

I now walk the streets on my own,

Then I was guided through the streets.

I can now walk on my own,

Then mummy backed me.

I can now feed myself,

Then I was always fed.

Now I'm free from attack,

...was once vulnerable to attack.

...was taught to read and write,

Now I teach others.

Mummy fed me with breast,

So I can be the best.

Now I'm a star

For I had a good start.

Now I help myself,

I was once helped.

I was once a child.

I can't forget my start

I can now take my bath,

Mummy did bathe me then.

I was once a child

Very gentle and innocent, 

Smiles at everybody,

Playing on the sand, 

Getting dirty for mum to clean.

I was once a child:

Their smile reminds me

How I used to be.

Every child shall one day be a man/woman.

We were helped to help others,

Made to make others,

Built to build others,

Protected to protect others,

Saved to save others.

Yes, I was once a child,

Now I'm a grown man.

"Being a child is priceless,

Killing a child is senseless,

Because, that child is the father of that man"

©Morris Emmanuel Essiet

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