OMG Saffie...that image is so frightfully sad and it pains me that this happens in the world...Children are the world's most precious resource, they need to be taught, brought up with love and spirit, so that they can learn to love and be loved...it really pains me to read things like this.
Children learn so easily what pain feels like, that is awful for them, the image of her using a black crayon, drawing broken hearts, they shouldn't be doing that, it should be flowers and pink hearts and butterflies and pretty things that make them smile...

You just penned this so rawly, it had that tone to it, with the repetition, the pain that they go through, the suffering, and how she doesn't understand why she is noticed, she just wants to be the same as everyone else, and be loved.

How sad...WOW

I remember reading this in the club, and dear God...it broke my heart! Just like it does now reading it for about the fourth time! </3

First stanza: Something so simple, a little black crayon, she treasures. It can tell her story through the color and the pictures she draws, she doesn't need words to show her sadness, she shows you in pictures. :(

Second stanza: The neglect here absolutely tugs at your heart. The unkempt hair, the malnourished body, the ragged school clothes. I'll never understand how someone could treat their child like that. Never. My dad was a social worker and when I was little I used to always go to his office, and some of the kids I would see there with their 'parents'...more like their monsters. I would always ask them to play and share my lunch or whatever I had to eat there with them. You could see their faces light up from just simple things like that. I always wanted to be a social worker like my Dad after that.

Third stanza: She doesn't understand why she looks different, why everyone else looks pristine while she looks dirty. And never understands why everyone is happier than her... why they are drawing with colorful crayons, drawing life of another world she envies... while all she has is a single black crayon, drawing her life...a broken heart inside a box.

Fourth stanza: :/ This angers me, hearing of bruises and swollen eyes. The only thing holding me back from being a social worker is I'm afraid that I'd end up hurting someone, a parent... that done this to their child. I would probably... flip. I don't think I could have control over myself. It angers me so much that people could do this to an innocent child.

Fifth stanza: Her black crayon and drawings are almost her safe haven. It's the only place she feels like she can express herself, on paper with the only color she truly likes. So very sad.

Ending: A hopeful, heartbreaking ending. Abused children, that's all they have really... hope... that someone or something will come and save them at the end of the day. Show them love, affection, kindness...what a child should be shown.

You penned an absolutely beautiful piece here, Saffie. It tore me into pieces along the way but I love it entirely. <3

To be honest I was so blown away by your free flow I was well into it when I realized how powerfully it was written on such a sad and worthy theme
5>>>>>>>

I read this when you posted it but I couldn't comment and it brought tears to my eyes, thats how much it touched me. I hate such things and I don't even like thinking about them. Really sad piece and deserves to be noticed.
Great job Saffie!!!

Oh my gosh, this piece is fantastic. Its so heartrending but amazing. I really don't know what else to say about it though, I'm sorry

How did i miss this.... So full of emotion here saff.... Iits heart breaking.... I love the idea of the black boxes... Think it's really creative... You really penned a piece here... Awesome