David had an English assignment to write a 500 word paper about how he was affected by violence. The alternate option was to write a poem. He fretted over this assignment for weeks! No matter how much advice or encouragement I gave him, he could not get going. So, after fretting for weeks, here is the finished product. He swears he spent only one hour composing and writing the poem!

Violence

Violence is very bad

But in my life I have not had

Too big a problem

(I always solve 'em)

But still I am affected.

Violence affects me

When I see

A fight in the hallway.

"Break it up!" the teachers say

With all the students in their way

It's like a Roman Coliseum

Where there's a fight, they go to see 'em.

Youth Violence is even worse

It grows and grows like prickly gorse.

"Why so bad?" some may say

Why? Because it boils ans steams until it bursts

It comes on out in fiery spurts.

They hurt their enemies,

They hurt their friends,

But worst of all, they hurt themselves.

They close the doors of promising future,

They open the doors of hate and pain.

"How does this happen?" We ask ourselves.

The answer may be lurking in your shelves,

It's in your books; it's in our games.

It may even be in you!

Every time you laugh and sneer,

Every time you laugh and jeer,

You hurt a future, you cause a tear.

All those games your son may play

Could be the cause of his detention today

He likes Grand Theft Auto, and what does that teach?

How to shoot, kill, and steal, that's what it will preach.

The friends he hangs with, the books that he reads

Teaches your son all about what he thinks he needs.

Teach him the truth, what he will gain:

A truckload of trouble, grief, and pain.

What can you do about youth violence?

When was the last time you were nice?

Read a kid a book, got your mom some ice?

Every little act shows that you care,

It shows that you are happy, it shows that you are there.

So do a good deed,

Help someone in need,

End violence today,

Because everything you do and say

Can lead to happiness or strife,

It can heal a life.

On this note I end,

And hope a message to send:

Violence is cruel

Not happy or cool.

Dave and I think it is AWESOME!! What do you think?