The Lost Child

amarica
The Lost Child by amarica
The Lost Child by amarica

The Lost Child

She could be your sister, your mother or your daughter.
For whatever reason, she puts her life on the line every day
just to make it through the night and see another morning.

She is not a hero and does not even claim to be.
For reasons known only to her, she has somehow lost her way
as she stands in the light of street lamp from dusk until the dawning.

She was once a little girl born with big eyes and rosebud lips.
For her something went wrong and only she can say
why she left her home and ended up here as fodder for men’s pawing.

She may have been molested by a family member or a friend.
For she trusted in this person who caused her to have to run away
into the night and into a life of mere existence her spirit draining.

She may not have chosen this life, it might have been chosen for her.
For she may have been shopping somewhere with someone one day
and been carried away by abductors while everyone ignored her screaming.

She could have been anything her heart desired if she had had a chance.
For her that never happened and for that mischance she will ever have to pay
by selling herself for an hour or more to whomever she finds willing.

She is the lost child, the one you look down on when you pass her on the street.
For she may be one to fear or maybe not when you pass her on the way
but maybe you can say a prayer for her that she may make it ‘til the morning.

She might be the one to escape from a dead soul and horrible destiny.
For this child might be touched by The Master’s hand in some way,
a forgiven soul, one who’s spirit The Saviour is calling.
______

There is nothing glamourous about this lifestyle. The intent here is not to glorify this lifestyle, but to raise public awareness so that we may be able to protect our women from abduction, abuse or whatever it is that causes them to end up here…as the lost child.
_______
Violence against female prostitutes: Female prostitutes are at risk of violent crime, as well as possibly at higher risk of occupational mortality than any other group of women ever studied. For example, the homicide rate for female prostitutes was estimated to be 204 per 100,000 (Potterat et al, 2004), which is considerably higher than that for the next riskiest occupations in the United States during a similar period (4 per 100,000 for female liquor store workers and 29 per 100,000 for male taxicab drivers) (Castillo et al., 1994). However, there are substantial differences in rates of victimization between street prostitutes and indoor prostitutes who work as escorts, call girls, or in brothels and massage parlors (Weitzer 2000, 2005). Perpetrators include violent clients, pimps, and corrupt law-enforcement officers. Prostitutes (particularly those engaging in street prostitution are also sometimes the targets of serial killers, who may consider them easy targets, or use the religious and social stigma associated with prostitutes as justification for their murder. Being criminals in most jurisdictions, prostitutes are less likely than the law-abiding to be looked for by police if they disappear, making them favored targets of predators.

Human trafficking and sexual slavery: It has been suggested that human trafficking is the fastest growing form of modern day slavery and is the third largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world.

Due to the illegal and underground nature of sex trafficking, the exact extent of women and children forced into prostitution is unknown.

Children are sold into the global sex trade every year. Often they are kidnapped or orphaned, and sometimes they are actually sold by their own families. According to the International Labour Organization, the problem is especially alarming in Thailand, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal and India.

Poverty, social exclusion and war are at the heart of human trafficking. Some women are hoodwinked into believing promises of a better life, sometimes by people who are known and trusted to them. Traffickers may own legitimate travel agencies, modeling agencies and employment offices in order to gain women’s trust. Others are simply kidnapped. Once overseas it is common for their passport to be confiscated by the trafficker and to be warned of the consequences should they attempt to escape, including beatings, rape, threats of violence against their family and death threats. It is common, particularly in Eastern Europe, that should they manage to return to their families they will only be trafficked once again.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

PS Fractalius, Digital, Micrografx and Photomatrix HDR enhanced.

Images Do Not Belong To The Public Domain.All images and writings are the copyright of the artist – © amari, amarica. All Rights Reserved. Copying, altering, displaying, distributing and/or selling any image without prior written consent from the artist is strictly prohibited and subject to any and all legal remedies.

  • Sally Omar

    Sally Omar, 3 months ago

    OMG, Ann, What amazing artwork and words….how very sad…Love & Hugs, Sally xxxxxooooo

  • Marvin Collins

    Marvin Collins, 3 months ago

    Wow! very moving verse!! Excellent image, great work Amari!!!

  • CanDuCreations

    CanDuCreations, 3 months ago

    I noticed the car. Beautiful colors and creative work.

  • Tom Broderick IPA

    Tom Broderick IPA, 3 months ago

    nice work. tom

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Sally Omar’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you sally. A lot of people want to hide from the facts of llfe rather than face them and do something to help the helpless. Not all women (or men for that matter) who end up in this lifestyle can be helped…but maybe by raising social consciousness…some can be helped. hugzzzzz

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Marvin Collins’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Marvin.

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to CanDuCreations’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Thea

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Tom Broderick IPA’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Tom

  • Gwenda Oxley

    Gwenda Oxley, 3 months ago

    Great work!!

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Gwenda Oxley’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Gwenda.

  • dawndavies

    dawndavies, 3 months ago

    wonderful work, these lost souls have to be remembered too, well done, dawnx

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to dawndavies’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you so much Dawn. xxxx

  • Renate Dartois

    Renate Dartois, 3 months ago

    Wonderful art-work amarica and yes this a very sad reality all over the world including right here. Also the men from here are traveling to this places and take advantage of these youngsters it takes western money to keep these places thriving.

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Renate Dartois’s comment, 3 months ago

    That is true, there are so many men who have no conscience and the money to get by with their crimes against humanity. If I did not believe in God, I would be so depressed. But I do believe that there is justice and they will answer for their crimes here and now or then and there.

  • lianne

    lianne, 3 months ago

    Ann this piece and your writing move me so very deeply. Such an important concern and so much compassion in what you’ve said. We have to look deeply at our own complicity when we live in a society that objectifies women still – glorifies sex as just another commodity – and overlooks this kind of slavery and subjugation. Some of that is portrayed even here on the bubble without much noise in the name of freedom of expression. Thank you my friend.

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to lianne’s comment, 3 months ago

    Lianne, you are so right about it all. Thank you for taking a stand and speaking out. xxxx my friend.

  • cherylc1

    cherylc1, 3 months ago

    incredible powerful and emotional image and verse!

  • JudyBJ

    JudyBJ, 3 months ago

    beautifuly written and powerful togather with the image

  • Joanne A. Bradley

    Joanne A. Bradley, 3 months ago

    Powerful image and words! Well done amarica!

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to cherylc1’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Cheryl.

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to JudyBJ’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Judy.

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Joanne A. Bradley’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Joanne.

  • Boban

    Boban, 3 months ago

    This is wonderful poem and capture. I will finish this poem with your first sentence .......... She can be your sister, your mother or your daughter .................. but again what do i know ........................ B.

  • Cassie Gannon

    Cassie Gannon, 3 months ago

    Wow, fantastic work.

  • the6tees

    the6tees, 3 months ago

    I Love your writing as much as I Injoy your Image’s Ann
    Well done sweet!!xx

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Boban’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Boban…any woman can be abducted and forced into slavery if she happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…in which case, she could end up like this and never ever come home again.

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Cassie Gannon’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Cassie.

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to the6tees’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Rose, that is a great compliment. xxxx

  • Jen Whyte

    Jen Whyte, 3 months ago

    Powerful words and powerful image that really make us think of the light of these poor souls

  • lurline

    lurline, 3 months ago

    Fascinating image – and beautiful, poignant words. :)

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Jen Whyte’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Jen…so true…xxxx

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to lurline’s comment, 3 months ago

    There but for the grace of God…..Thanks Lurlline. xxxxx

  • JuliaWright

    JuliaWright, 3 months ago

    Amazing my friend, great work, awesome words!!!

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to JuliaWright’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Julia.

  • Steve Chapple

    Steve Chapple, 3 months ago

    An image with such a strong message. Great outcome!

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Steve Chapple’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Stephen. xxxx

  • pinkyjain

    pinkyjain, 3 months ago

    Such a remarkable gorgeous design. Such a sad life for so many women, young and old

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to pinkyjain’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Lisa. Yes, it is a dead end life for most of them.

  • Dayonda

    Dayonda, 3 months ago

    _Congratulations on having your fine work Featured in the ABSTRACT DIGITAL ART AND WRITING Group! 12 Aug 2008 (US Date)

    A message so few want to hear.

  • Elenne Boothe

    Elenne Boothe, 3 months ago

    Wow!!powerful and deep.
    When you say she may have been molested by family or friends, I can relate to that.
    your work amarica is so amazing and your wiritings is so powerful & deep.
    Bless you my friend. love Elenne xxoo

  • TREVOR IRWIN

    TREVOR IRWIN, 3 months ago

    Again, You have created a piece of art that speaks. Outstanding Talent. I pray The Lord Will continue to inspire you as you inspire others.

    link to My Africa Mission website.
    http://www.philadelphia33.org/
    Link to all my Art & writings.
    http://www.redbubble.com/people/joshuatree1

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Dayonda’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Dayonda, you noticed! xxxx hugzzz

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to Elenne Boothe’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you so much Elenne. I am sorry to hear you or someone you know had to go through such a thing. I am glad God has watched over you, and thank you for your wonderful support and blessings. hugzzz xxxx

  • amarica

    amarica in reply to TREVOR IRWIN’s comment, 3 months ago

    Thank you Trevor, I will definitely check both of them out. Saving them now in my notepad. xxxxx

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