A child once laughed beneath the skies,
With starlight dancing in her eyes.
Four tender years, a fleeting grace,
Now silence marks her resting place.

Where were we when she cried at night,
When bruises dimmed her spirit’s light?
Did no one hear her whispered pleas,
Or glimpse her pain beneath the breeze?

A mother’s arms became a cage,
A home transformed to grief and rage.
The hands that should have wiped her tears
Became the source of darkest fears.

And what of him—the man who stayed,
Who broke her life, then walked away?
Was justice served in bars and blows
When Megan’s soul no longer grows?

Did neighbours see and turn aside,
Afraid to ask, too numb to chide?
Did teachers see the signs of dread
And choose the rules instead of red?

Did social workers miss the mark,
Not hear her voice within the dark?
Was duty filed, but hearts left cold,
While silent suffering took its hold?

We failed her, Lord. Her fragile face
Should not have left this mortal place.
Forgive the ones who turned away—
Who saw, yet thought, “It’s not our place.”

We lift our hands, we bow our head
For Megan now, among the dead.
And pray, O God, this cry You hear:
Let no more children disappear.

A Prayer
O Shepherd kind, who holds each lamb,
Have mercy on us where we stand.
Awake our hearts, our hands, our eyes,
To see the pain we now despise.
Let justice roll, let love arise,
And guard each child beneath the skies.
Amen.

I woke up this morning thinking about Megan. I am sure she is on many minds and hearts. A poem and prayer may be the best way to express the sorrow and anguish. I have zero ability to write poems. I did the unforgivable: I prompted ChatGPT, and in three seconds it was done. I wonder if your reaction to the lament differs from if it were composed by me?  Would you disclaim or annul the emotions that stirred in you because you knew it was done by AI? Let me know in the comment box.