When I first heard of and saw some images of a child displayed in an inappropriate manner I did not like it. Many did not like it. It seems that the majority does not like it though they are making it seen that we are only a minority. This is displayed as “art”. But when it comes to children being sexually exploited it is not art but simply selling our children through the net It is not only morally wrong, but also it is illegal. After many reports RB finally took them down. Though this topic for now has to do mostly with women and girls, it holds true to our boys. They are not only sexually abused but also being taught that it is alright to abuse women and that they are sex toys. So I wrote a poem thinking about this topic in the most delicate way to get my message through.
Now I think I should have written it even stronger and to the point because I started seeing the atrocities being done to a certain group of people and excusing it as a parody.
I thought I had seen it all until I saw the even more ugly aspect of children’s clothes being used in this sort of propaganda of hate, profanity and inciting sex in our babies all in the name of making a profit. This was my description to the poem “But I Will Speak” trying to be polite about it. Child Abuse and. the sexualiaxtion of children in art has always been part of mankind. There is valuable information in the Internet and in groups that specialize in this area. Well I rectify with this journal. It is not about being polite. It is about defending the defenseless.
But I Will Speak!!!!!
She is mourning
Let her cry for her treasured loss
Let her stand before the casket
Let her hold it
Let her touch it
As she says her final goodbyes
To her childhood,
Her youth along with her
“Innocence”
Forever lost.
She has crossed the bridge
Leaving behind her garden
Where she once danced
As one of the sun bathing flowers
The bridge she hesitantly crossed
Left her vulnerable
To opened doors
To be sold to the highest bidder
She is not part of nature anymore
But a cut flower
For human’s desires
Not really seeing
She just stares confused
Behind rain watered eyes
Daisies, pansies and roses of dreams
Shattered and scattered to the winds.
There was no need to fear strangers
Only her parents and relatives so dear
That forgot how that child once cradled and snuggled
In her mother’s arms not so long ago
Oh, trailing clouds of lying glory
Made “her” Spring turn into “her” Autumn
As child becomes woman before her time
Whilst grown ups play with her pixie lap
Yes, the younger the better
Look at the child
Shaped by her protectors
With a newly learned “Art”
Playing the role of a seductress
Trying to please her Mommy and Daddy
Aah, a little Pale Pink for her lips
No, rather a “Luscious Red”
Or “Hot Tease Magenta”
Sultry eyes to match her look
Oh so beautiful for Vogue Magazine
“That’s it my Darling. Show me some attitude
Just go with the flow
Dress up, dress up for Mommy"
One grown woman still weeps
For her long lost
Innocence
She turns around and asks her mother
“How can you sleep at night for it always eludes me.”
Surprised by her question she answers
“With a full belly. Now come my Sweet
It’s time to let go”.
You called me “What?”
You killed that word
When you killed me
Sweet does not exists in me anymore
I am sexy, a tigress, a temptress
I can play the mysterious vixen
But I am also dark.
I am your worst Nightmare!!!
And I am raging mad!!!!
Hush, we must never speak
Of an innocence that once radiated
In her so bright
That the Reaper has taken away
Are we feasting or are in mourning?
It’s so sad that it is only
In the eye of the beholder
Teacup
Such a very strong poem with an important message… keep the innocent innocent for as long as possible… so very well written and a strength to speak out…x
Iris R:
Thank you Teacup. I thought I was doing my part, but my part was not strong enough. Many are speaking out. Once again, I thank you for your wonderful support.
xoxoxoxo
LauraBroussard
So full of emotion……. so eloquently written xx
Iris R:
Thank you Laura. You have also made me see that we cannot speak quietly. We must have a stronger voice. Thanks once again.
xoxoxo Iris
H M Bascom
We must stay the course even in the face of mocking and ridicule. If we falter, our children will pay the price. They will become faceless, nameless things to be exploited to even a greater extent than we have been exploited. Education and persistence, Iris. xoxo
Iris R:
Thank you very much Helen. I totally agree with you. The world is already messed up as it is. We not only have to fight for our rights but fight even stronger for our children. I will not only say thank you for the support but also for your hand.
xoxo Iris
missyjennyb
A wonderfully, strong, powerful voice, speaks in defense of all innocent children through your beautiful poetry Iris. I find what is going on @ redbuble to be completely reprehensible, and though I sat for a long time, looking in like a wounded outsider, I can no longer sit back in silence and see our children, OR women, exploited and sexualised in this disgusting way. Enough is enough. xox
Iris R:
Thank you very much Jenny for this wonderful and encouraging comment. I was naturally enraged when I saw the child’s photo and wrote this. But as time passed I started seeing more and then I saw the “other issue”. I also stood quietly in a corner, until I knew I had to speak out but with a stronger voice. You said it, enough is enough. xoxoxoxo
Iris
MtnRainbows
Applause!!! Being a survivor and knowing many other survivors, we can never put too much effort into protecting the children… protecting everyone from abuse in all it’s forms. At the same time, may I stress, it is possible for the ‘victim’ to heal and move on to become the ‘SURVIVOR’. It is not easy but it is POSSIBLE.
Iris R:
Thank you Sandy. It is our duty as adults to protect our children and to condemn every type of abuse done to anyone else. We want this world to be a better place to live in. I totally agree with you Sandy, there are a lot of survivors out there just like you. Some have had to heal themselves alone, but there others whom have needed someone else’s hand to go about it. Thanks once again Sandy. I really appreciate it.
xoxoxoxoxo Iris
MaryMac
Beautiful write for the innocent. We each still should hold enough innocence in us to RESPECT it when we see it whether in children, animals, the elderly, or the naive.
People with malice in their hearts or hardened hearts hate because they are miserable and to prey on the innocent shows how much malice and hardening of the heart there is. I pray for them. I’am all about peace and their souls need some so I lite candles for them don’t know them but want for them to see the light. The nasty of them I visualize like the Grinch all green and hopefully his heart will grow…putting out positive energy just like this write. Because it seems there are more and more
peace love and joy to the world and the deep blue sea joy to you and me.
Iris R:
Thank you so much Mary for your wonderful and supportive comment. I agree with you, we should all live with peace and harmony but we also have to protect our children at all costs. I do pray also that soon people will become educated enough to leave our children alone to their innocence.
Thank you once again,
Iris xoxoxoxo
raymondoantonio
YOU ARE SO RIGHT IRIS!!!! THIS FILTH IS NOT ART! PEOPLE WHO DO THIS TO CHILDREN SHOULD BE LOCKED UP!!!! WE MUST BE VIGILANT! WHERE WE SEE EVIL, IT IS OUR DUTY TO SPEAK UP!! ALL POWER TO YOU HERMANA! AMOR Y ABRAZOS !! XOXO
Iris R:
Oh, my dearest Ray mi “Hermano”. I needed to post this again but with a stronger voice to it. Every day that passes is another day that I see more and more of what is being done to our children and to the defenseless and all in the name of “Art”. Every voice that unites becomes one big strong one. Yes, it is our duty to speak up.
Thank you for your back up. And now I hold dearly your words "Mi Hermano, Amor y Muchos Abrazos.!!!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxo
TatumWulff
Thank you for posting this again Iris…… I was afraid to re-read it, as every time I do, it brings tears to my eyes…… especially the first verse in fact…. children suffer because of others greed and selfishness… and ignorance… they end up paying the price for adults irresponsibilitys.
It baffles me anyone would dare harm a child.
People who create imagery sexualizing kids should not be permitted a place in this community…… but they do, and they are here….. and they laugh at our attempts and our writing about it all. It’s like trying to reason sanity with the insane.
All of the issues people are discussing here at RB could easily be resolved, if we would just ask, what is best for the children?
But the ones who control the show….. I wonder what they are basing their decisions on….
Thank you for reposting this Iris and making people aware, it’s a very powerful write that moves me to tears each time I visit ….
Love ya,
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
TatumWulff
Thank you for having such a strong voice, Iris xxoo
Iris R:
Awww Tatum.
I didn’t think that this poem was strong enough; that is why I put up the journal to try to make it stronger. It also baffles me why would someone hurt a child in any way. There are so many ways that a child may be abused. Sexually exploiting a child is illegal. That is why it is done behind closed doors. Thing is that doing it here is not being done behind closed doors. We are told that if we don’t like it to look the other way or leave. This has been like a home to me. I am grateful for this. But if I were living in a nice home and then one of my siblings started doing things that were morally incorrect or illegal especially to children, I would not turn away and I would see how to to fix this problem to make it right; after all it is my home also. If the house starts to crumble then it will be time to abandon ship. Sometimes I am to weak and sick to stand up and speak, but when I am able to I will. Thank you for thinking I have a strong voice. I also think you have one, a voice that speaks but in a respectful way.
xoxoxoxooxoxxooxo Iris
flame7
A powerful read iris. Keep talking it’s the silence that let’s the evil continue and spread.
Iris R:
Thank you Kelly. You are another strong voice joined to make our voices be heard. I have read your comments in other works and they sure are intelligent and worth considering. Once again I thank you.
xoxoxoxo Iris
TatumWulff
I wish you could take over Redbubble, Iris……. xx
Iris R:
Thanks Tatum for your thoughts. If that wish came true I surely would have a lot of helpers to share the work with..
xoxoxo
Danica Radman ...
important scream, beautifully articulated
Iris R:
Thank you Danica for thinking my simple words as an important scream.
It was written with all of my heart in it. I am hearing a lot of voices being heard all over. Hope they will all be heard. Thanks for your support and wonderful, uplifting comment.
xoxoxo Iris
Isa Rodriguez
I agree with Tatum
I often wonder how your heart of gold weaves such compassionate webs…………. they dig deep into me . and I thank you for it
this is heartbreaking. and so immeditealy true …. so beautiful , so sad
love ya love ya love ya . you beautiful soul
Iris R:
Thank you my darling cousin. You are also a compassionate soul full of concern for others; especially for the defenseless and children. These children need our protection at all costs. When I see a person hurt, I hurt also but when I see a child get hurt by any means or manner it does hurt sooo much more.
Thank you for your support and for all your love.
Love you to.
flame7
Thankyou…. Together we stand divided we fall.
Iris R:
Very very true Kelly. I know that there are more like us feeling the same way but not daring to speak out. I understand them completely. But I am seeing more and more coming out and I am glad. Thanks once again for your support.
xoxo Iris
Linda Lovett
_Sad, sad, sad little happy girl. Scared, scared, scared, little brave girl who made her friend happy while she felt naughty & dirty. Nobody knew except him and me and God.
“Defiled is a feeling word. Per Webster,
Defiled means 1. to make filthy, dirty 2. to corrupt the purity of or perfection of 3: ravish, violate
Ravish means 1: break, disregard 2: to do harm to the person, esp. the chastity of
Innocence means freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil
Yes, defiled and violated but not violently. Gently ruined. Slowly spoiled. Gradually made filthy. Innocence and trust and neediness turned into yuck and fear and hiding and secrets. Unspeakable secrets. When I finally told my folks—So what? Silence. When I couldn’t ignore the ignorance and blind piety any longer of some of my fellow church members (they were talking about all the bad stuff out there that they do) and finally told them, “No! It happened to me in the nursery at church!”—So what? SIlence…"_
Iris R:
Awww my dear friend. I know this goes on and on and it breaks my heart, but to hear it straight from you; straight from your heart is making me shudder. It is hurting even more. Silence. The child has to be silent and take it all. The perpetrator is also silent with a bribe or or a lie of how much the child is loved by the person or told that in some way they are going to get hurt or their family. Then silence from their protectors and silence from those who are supposed to protect their sheep when they learn the truth. I liked that you backed your story with information. They are being ravished and defiled. This is not a fairy tale we are being told, this is the truth and have to look and then speak up for the children. I am really sorry for this one and sorry for all of the children that have or are experiencing this. Thanks for sharing, I really appreciate it very much.
Sending you all of my love
xoxoxoxo Iris
RosaCobos
Your emotions pouring…it is well to speak the soul. I really do not know what to say. Would need to face the eyes of the ones that have the “imagination” to make such a work that I do not consider art at all. It is a simple dirty and stupid provokation. Some people think they are “beyond good and evil”, in the ethical way of thinking.
And this is going against the natural, healthy way of seeing children and ourselves.
I am tired, Iris…..but not enough as to read with love your poem. You have done well, and the writing, even is careful and tender at the same time, not wishing to expose the images that are so hard to see. And at the same time evoking the suffering of the victims. But…on the whole, I know we are growing and being each day more responsible, tender, and equilibrated in treated and raising our children and taking care of their whole needs. It is just…that a rotten apple is stenching the fruit basket, and should be taken away from it.
Have a hug dear Iris.
Rosa
Iris R:
Thank you very much mi hermana. Yes, the children are to be protected in every way. I love art in all of its aspects and respect the artists. But as mentioned before, when a child is exposed in this way or have his clothing with horrible obscene words written all over them, it does make you wonder how the mind of this person is working. Teachers and professionals are trying to educate Society but as always the children are getting hurt. May this soon come to an end.
Buenos sueños
Te quiero mucho
Iris xoxoxoox
Gregory John O...
Well said !!!
Iris R:
Thank you very much Gregory for your support. I really appreciate. The children appreciate it.
SimplyRed
I shall simply say PERFECTLY WRITTEN :)) XX
Iris R:
Thank you very much Red. I needed to say this, not for myself, but in behalf of the children. They need us to protect them at all costs.
XOXOXO
Iris
Marion Cullen
A poignant, peaceful and heartfelt plea.
When it comes to the safety & welfare of children we must be selfless, diligent and tireless in defending them… children must always be placed before profit.
Iris R:
Thanks you also Marion. I am not one to be making complaints or whining or crying as some have been calling us. But you are so right that when it comes to the safety and welfare of our children whether they be ours or not, be must be selfless and tireless.
Once again I thank you.
xoxoxo
CLiPiCs
Well Said Iris
words fail me with this issue of kids clothing, common sense and logic, to say nothing of Net and real world law, this should have been rectified the very mnute RB had it pointed out to them
and yet RB put it to the Vote !
BONKERS !
Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
Iris R:
I hadn’t realized that RB had put this to a vote. So, all in favor say aye.
How could you put to a vote the selling of children and their clothes being promoted with obscene writings and drawings? You said it, where is the common sense and logic?
Thanks Kriss for your support.
xoxo
abigcat
i deplore the fact that this argument/discussion has had to take place here at all, common sense and common decency tell me something :)
Putting that aside I applaud your poem in the wider sense of the world at large, this could perhaps be read elsewhere other than an Arts site, I wish I could help you publish it out there in the real world , but i can’t I can only offer support your words are strong and your voice can be heard :-))
Iris R:
Thank you for your support Abiqcat. I totally agree with you that it shouldn’t be discussed here at all. It seems that common sense and logic is not being used here. I find that this has been home for me for some years and I would look and if I found something I didn’t like would just go on to the next piece of art. But when it has to do with children and it being displayed here in the matter is has been displayed then I cannot look the other way. Once again thank you for your support.
xoxo
Linda Lovett
I perhaps should have noted this is straight from my journal. The first paragraph was an excerpt from my journal written May 23, 1992. As I continued to mull it all over in my mind, on the 24th I went to the dictionary. The rest is a small excerpt from that day’s writings. I had been warned that for therapy to be effective it needed to become more painful. OH really? MORE painful? I was ready to do anything to heal. The question that day was regarding my first experience with sex. I mentioned this but said it was no big deal. “I suspect you have not gotten in touch with your feelings.” He was right. I was writing to explore my memories and the feelings that surfaced as I did so. Soon the dam broke… It had served its purpose in my life and it was time.
Iris R:
The fear of facing your fears is what is the most hardest thing to. I still have my fears that go way back as long as I remember at about 4 and they still run around my head. How do you go to someone when you don’t trust any one enough to even mention the subject to? There are other things my brother and I went through our growing years with a would call a dysfunctional family. So I understand completely what has to be done, but how is t he question. .
xoxoxoxo Iris
BabyM2
reading your poem moved me in a way i cannot describe except to say i felt thier anguish as if it were my own ..
Iris R:
Ah my dear friend Baby. I did remember one or two about this topic itself, so I very know that you also care and have strong convictions about this.
Sometimes you have to make your voice heard if there isn’t anything else you can do so literally.
Much love Iris xoxoxoxoox
Rikki Woods
I love you so much and this is just one more reason to add to the heap of reasons…..you’re amazing and wonderful.
This is a powerful, powerful piece of writing. It made me cry and it made me angry. Drawing emotions out is the mark of a fine writer…and that you are.
Love always, xxoo
Iris R:
Thank you very much Rikki. I tried writing this one from the child’s point of view; on how it would affect her for sometimes we have to put away our feelings and see how we can protect not only physically but also emotionally. If this one brought out emotions I hope they are enough to make someone act and care.
Love you my dear, always.
xoxoxoxoxo
TheBrit
An extreamely poignant write indeed Iris! It is a very sad that in this world this kind of thing go’s on and on! i applaud you for writing this, our children need to be children for as long as possible!!
Brit..
Iris R:
Thank you very much Brit for your supportive comment. We must save our children’s savety at all costs. Once again I thank you.
xoxoox Iris
Linda Lovett
Write in a journal. When a thought or feeling starts, curl up and write it out. Over and over and over. THEN you will be able to find words to speak it to someone – us, a friend, a doctor, a therapist, a minister.
I have 8 2-4" volumes of single spaced typed pages. I wrote/scribbled them out long hand then typed them into a computer. Wish I still had the electronic versions but I do have the hard copy. Sometimes I go back and read sections. It is nice just knowing they are here if I want to do that.
No one has ever read them. I was in therapy. They were/are well written & I was/am proud of them. When I took them in I was told they were for my benefit. I was a bit crushed at the moment. He went on to say our time was for talking. So I wrote, talked about what I learned/felt. He went from there. On the ride home, I began again to think talk, feel, explain, etc. When I got home, I started writing. Usually I reached a resolution and could then sleep for a bit. Depression does not allow for much of that except for when it allows for too much of it. LOL. I know now he was right. My journal which he instructed me to keep was my path to healing combined with grace and a couple of exceptional doctors, meaning only that they worked for me. I am still with the 2nd one since 2003!! The first step is to make a commitment to healing yourself. Like life it is a long and winding path into the unknown. Only in looking back can you see the grace that was always there!!!! This I believe! Grace-kept!
Iris R:
Do you mind if I copy this comment of yours? It is so helpful I find. You have given so much wonderful advice which will try to apply on my own. I don have a doctor which I find marvelous. Once again thanks.
Will mail you.
Iris xoxoxoxox
Linda Lovett
Of course I do not mind! What a validation! Thank you. RB is public after all. I had terrible experiences right after a suicide attempt. I was so broken, demolished, etc. I don’t know how I found the determination to seek a doctor I could work with. It was that or die I guess. I knew only that I wanted a Christian, a believer. I knew I had spiritual/religious conflicts so I did not want someone who would poo poo my core beliefs. I got lucky and found one 70 miles away. I had to pay for the visits out of pocket because he was out of network for my HMO. AAAARHHGHGGGHH! Don’t get me started in that. How I decided that I was worth the cost I do not know. I knew I was a time bomb and had already come too close to death impulsively. Explosively! I got lucky. Went in the hospital under this guy (2nd time), was diagnosed accurately and learned what i needed to work on. Not how, but what. It was not smooth sailing all the way. After several beneficial years of slowly building trust, the whole milieu crumbled in a matter of days. It was a couple of months of sheer desperation before I came across the second doctor, a woman, through a friend. Grace both times. You have to want it!!
My daughter was pregnant & I wanted to meet my grandson. About that time, my daughter’s father committed suicide. DAMN! He beat me to it!!!! I also heard something. While it is true what we don’t heal in ourselves, we will pass on to our children; it is equally true that what we DO heal in ourselves we will also pass on to our children and all whom we meet for that matter. Jesus came to destroy the works of the evil one and by gosh by golly I joined his team. Too much evil had been perpetrated against me (and likewise me against others). I had passed on too much of the crap I had been dished naturally so. I had a purpose. Later, my purpose became to find a way to t"hank my God":http://www.redbubble.com/people/youbet/journal... for his sustaining grace.
Linda Lovett
I meant to proof that. Hit the wrong button. Hope you can read it. LOL
Iris R:
Don’t worry about that. I have been known to write the longest comment and then, hit the delete button.lol Love to write it the first time, around, but the second time it’ls like O.K. What did I just say and deleted? lol
Jay Taylor
Bravo, Iris.
“This is a call to all mothers – your children they weep for the earth.
This is a call to all fathers – WHEN WILL YOU SHOW THEM YOU’VE HEARD?”
Well, some of us do hear. Some of us do care. And some of us do speak out. I applaud your efforts, Iris. This is a powerful and moving piece. Thank you. Jay
Iris R:
Thanks very much Jay for your wonderful commment. We do need to join and an add to it. May all of us feel the same.
I appreiate your words very much.
xoxoxoxo Iris
lindamiller
Dear friends I have not seen these images could someone send me a link So I could use my voice to speak out. Sorrow for whats happening up hear Linda