I met a little guy, 5 years old, in my travels yesterday as a home health nurse. He was dirty, and skinny, and had no shoes. When he smiled, his front teeth were all metal. But when he smiled, his eyes sparkled, and I had to return the smile. He lives with his grandpa who is confined to a wheelchair. The little guy is grandpa's caregiver. He was fascinated with my nursing bag and wanted to see everything in it. I wanted to give him something, so I gave him my tape measure. You would think I had given him a winning lottery ticket! He hugged me for an eternity. I couldn't stop thinking about him today; and I derived no comfort from knowing that my own grandchildren live comfortably. I wrote this for that little guy.

Is there some plausible reason why
If God made us all the same,
Some people live in abject poverty
And others vacation in Spain?

Why are children born with birth defects
And heart-breaking anomalies?
Why, in the world’s richest nation
Are there so many poor families?

Prenatal care, post partum checks
Well-baby clinics and education
Why can’t this be a reality
In the world’s richest nation?

Preventative medicine, annual check-ups
Should be a routine part of health care.
Keep people well and functional
And keep them off of welfare.

Children in Appalachia
Just want to learn to read.
Their parents never learned
Too many mouths to feed.

Children in Mississippi
Just want a place to live.
Charities look for volunteers
With building skills to give.

Children wandering darkened streets,
Their parents gone, or unknown
Their fondest hope, and greatest wish
Is to find a warm and loving home.

Children who fear going home
To torture and abuse
Children living a silent tragedy
From perpetrators on the loose.

Is this just an isolated problem
Magnified by Media sensation?
Or is this a horrific travesty
In the world’s richest nation?

We have to look at these problems
The depth, and breadth, and scope
For these children are our future
These children are our hope.