"I hate all women-folk!" young Danny said
When kept in after school for throwing rocks
At two small girls. Defiant-high his head,
He barked his scorn, "A female always squawks!"
Nor would he write one hundred times, I will
Not throw another rock at girls, "For that
Would be a lie." I failed with him until
I learned his "Mom" had left, and one stray cat
Was all that loved him; his embittered Dad
Fed him on hatred--When I saw him lie
Bruised in the street and heard him say, "I had
To save my cat. Teacher, I didn't try
To hit the girls," I gently smoothed his hair.
To teach this "lost lamb" how to love, my prayer.
