The Village

The “It takes a village to raise a child” mentality

Is not a belief

That should be brushed away

It should guide us in how we interact

With the youth

Everyday

Educating our children

Should be a goal

That we all share

The world is constantly shifting

So our children

Must be prepared

Graduating is not a given

It’s up to adults

To set the stage

Parents and educators

Need to work

On the same page

Open communication

With accountability in place

That goes for children, too

Weak excuses

Must be erased

Technology can never replace adults

It can’t replace proper guidance

We all know that the internet

Can expose children

To sex and violence

It also can be addictive

Children constantly

In front of screens

Exposed to manipulative marketing

And hate speech

That’s so obscene

Alternatives

Are easy to find

When we take the time to look

Athletics

Developing talents

Learning skills

And reading books

Time with technology

Should never go unchecked

Online

Predators lurk

And so our children

We must protect

Sloth and apathy

Should never be accepted

Don’t fall for the belief

That only poor children

Can be neglected

Not teaching a child to earn,

Stay active,

And set goals

Is setting them up to fail

This eventually

Takes its toll

A child who’s not guided

Won’t become

A productive adult

Coddling laziness

Is no better

Than verbal assaults

Speak truth into our children

That success

Takes work and effort

Regardless of what they possess

They should strive

For even better

More important than gained knowledge

Is a positive attitude

No-one can keep a job

With a habit of being rude

Adults must set the example

Show empathy

And also respect

Teach children to spread love

While keeping anger in check

The next generation

Can succeed

When it’s their turn

But if the village fails the children

Then the whole village

Burns