A Child Is Not A Weapon

How bitter must a heart become

to turn a child into a wall,

to close a door between a father

and the family who would catch his fall?

A child should never carry anger

that belongs between grown hearts.

They shouldn’t have to choose a side

or wonder why their world is torn apart.

You can hold your grudges,

you can keep your pride,

you can tell yourself whatever helps

you sleep peacefully at night.

But someday that child may ask,

“Why did you keep them away?”

And no bitter explanation

can change what happened yesterday.

Because fathers miss their children,

and families miss them too.

There are empty chairs at gatherings

where laughter should have filled the room.

You may think you’re winning

every time you close that door,

but bitterness has a way of leaving

the one who holds it hurting more.

So let the anger fall away.

Let the child simply be a child.

Because love should never be punishment,

and family shouldn’t be put on trial.

A child deserves every chance

to know the people who love them true.

And one day, when they’re old enough,

they’ll remember who made room for them

and who refused to.