Starved to Death, for Jovonie
If only I had known
what was happening,
If only I had known
where you lived.
If only I had known,
I would have gone
into your home.
I would have
taken you out.
If only I had known,
I would have taken
you into my home.
I would have fed you.
If only I had known,
I would have
gladly faced jail,
to save your
precious life.
If only I had known.
Dave Bradley
Thu 12th Jan 2012 14:34
Just googled 'Jovonie' and found the story of Jovonie Ochoa, a 4 year old who weighed 16lbs when she died. She is not the only child to have suffered similarly, so ourageously, at the hands of parents or alleged 'carers'. Perhaps in a way you have written this for all of them. The poem moved me - especially the repetition of "If only I had known" - it's an almost visceral response we have to stories like Jovonie's and the poem captures that well.