Reality check

or is seeing the only believing? 

Have we become so dependent on media, 

on images, 

that only if the reality is shown to us 

in all its heartbreaking simplicity

can we truly believe its happening?

Do we honestly believe Omran is the only child impacted by the war in Syria?

Do we honestly believe there aren't children  

in this country 

who sit in stunned shock every day -

victims of rape, abuse, poverty, hunger and neglect?

I can tell you there are.

I saw a steady progression of them,

day after day,

month after month,

year after year,

decade after decade

in the Emergency room.

I could have taken pictures that rivaled this one for its shock value -

were it not for a little thing like privacy laws.

I'm not diminishing the indictment for all of us

encapsulated in this picture -

a silent cry to recognize the pain 

that adults bear responsibility for inflicting on our children.

But, after we cry for Omran,

lets push up our sleeves and get busy 

making the world a safer place for ALL our children.

BTW -

does anyone else recognize the seeds that have been planted

in this child's soul

that may erupt, in full bloom,

 as the anger, mistrust and hatred

that leads to terrorism?

How's that for a reality check?