Legs like rubber, dragging under packs,
Backs hunched over like the aged, the youth now burdened.
"Continue on, do not stop!" Comes the taskmaster's call.
And onward, onward, onward, the youth are forced to crawl.
Egos challenged by weight too much to bear,
Pride shedding onto the trail, the deviants brought to tears.
"This is your last chance. It's time for you to change."
Their parent's voices echo, echo, echo, remembering their last exchange.
Criminal charges pending, while academics decline,
Addictions control their actions. The youth are forced to change.
"The wilderness program is your last chance," they say.
And the children are taken, taken, taken. They are taken far away.
Trials under fire, spirits are broken fast,
Hurdles to cross, the youth must carry on.
"Will this program work? We can only pray."
The parents left hoping, hoping, hoping for a brighter day.
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Parents Hoping for a Brighter Day
by Stephanie Daich
