Riley Ann's Last Words

how incredibly sad. It's beyond my imagination how these things go on, but they do--from the deepest, darkest hell. D.

Jan- What a great memorial you have written to baby Grace. I was looking for the story on this the other day and there were too many to count. I saw her picture, she was a little doll. Now she is with the angels and she will get her wish to be loved. I like to think our relatives who went to heaven have her in their arms. This is getting to be a big problem, parents abusing their children to the point of murder, I was hoping that the new laws on letting people turn their children over without prosecution would help, but it did not. This is beyond my understanding and so sad. I think you handled the subject very well, I wish there was something we could do... Make a new law, I would sign a petition. Make it a felony without any chance of parole. enough said. Great tribute... Patty

Delicately and sensitively written bringing out the essence of your message - an example of master craftsmanship with the pen. Leonard

There are so many of these kinds of stories, it is heart- breaking to me... I have not heard this particular one but plan on googling it tonight... Like Leonard says... a delicate touch you have within your pen... thank you for posting. Richard

I went on a research journey... and your poem is full and so hard hitting once the story is known... I can't believe the cruelty this child suffered... being in Texas, they should at least both get the death penalty... Richard

It's stories like these that make me question the world, moreso than scandals and politics. Riley Ann suffered what no person ever should. I wrote a poem about around a year ago titled "Baby Grace." You blended an interesting dichotomy between tenderness and brutality. That is all I can say on the artistry of this, as I don't like to comment on poetic artistry on such heavily topic'd poems. Mark W. Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against these, there is no law!" My favorite verse(s) in the Bible

Don't remember hearing of this sad tragedy. You did so well in writing it with the best of images. ~~~~~~~~~ Be whoever you are At all times, and Remember that Because of this, people will Always Respect, and Admire you ©2008Leonard Respectfully Yours, Barbara

As I get mad enough to kill everytime I think of Baby Grace/Riley Ann. You did a wonderful job on this. A wonderful job...ARRGH! and the death penalty cannot be sought! Respectfully, Rett: "Next time you think you're perfect, walk on water."

I echo your sentiments. I had actually been thinking about changing my stance on the death penalty until this story came along. God's mercy on that little girl, and God's mercy on these two monsters. Mark W. Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against these, there is no law!" My favorite verse(s) in the Bible

congrats on the spotlight. Well deserved. Sad but true. I think you are so right about evil. Nothing can kill it. No law can change it. Bless those who take these children out of these type of situations and give them rest. I know there are people out there who would. Too much, to little, to late. Sorry Mark, I cannot ask for mercy for the monsters. Only the anger Jesus showed to the money changers will do. Patty (gotta go cry now) I know it broke the heart of Jesus. So it breaks my heart as well.

...with an ink pen full of tears. Life brings on us, such a sad state of affairs; yet we are to listen. For we must all learn. Grace isn't the one to whom this message was for.....the "grace" of this lesson was meant for collatteral damage. I pray someone learns... #{:>{)}+/ docmaverick.

A well written sad note. Didnt know about this before, but it is really sad and regretful. Her last words are very touching and painful. Thanks for sharing it with us Janice. Love, Wafi.

This is a bittersweet tribute, but I cringed. Not your fault... just the situation. Stories like this one in the news are hard to handle at any time, for me, but when I'm pregnant, that mama-bear instinct rears its head... it's not pretty. :x -Rosemary Quite contrary Now get out of my garden

little blond girl washed up on a Texas beach. Your poem is filled with sadness, but all I feel is hatred towards her murderers. I cannot help it. Very powerful write, Janice. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race

I, too, have put off writing, though I now shall so attempt. Loss is devastating individually and collectively. That there is war and hunger and illness that take children's lives...is fact. That there are children who die at the hands of their caregivers is god-awful truth. I am forever against capital punishment, the theory of an eye for an eye, as Gandhi said: "Makes the whole world go blind". My x-sister-in-law once said, "So, it's their Karma -- the cycle is finished". Still, I have more questions than answers and sometimes I think these things happen because the world dropped the ball. If each and every child isn't cherished, why should one child be? And yet its true, our *own* is first and foremost. And thank you for your kindness and the love you have shown to Riley Ann, Janice. Were that these poems never need to be penned. ~Anna

it did so in mourning, not grief. A father in a California rural area, pulled to the side of the road, and beat his child in the open, intervening passer-bys where attacked, a police helicoptor landed on the a field with a fence. The father was shot. The baby had a few Moments of delivery into compassionate hands. It is so east to be shocked by such events, that we resign to sentiment alone. Mourning is a rite of passage, grief is an emotional burden. You demonstrate compassion, an Ode' To Riyle. In ink, Dabbler

I have been purposely avoiding the news coverage ... there are some things the heart just cannot handle, the mind cannot grasp. You are one of many who have given this baby girl the words that were taken from her. I imagine many poets have turned to their words in an attempt to deal with the horrors in the news. It is what we do, the best we can in the face of so much agony. Thank you for putting this out here. ~ Ronda

when I read this for the first time, I found I was unable to comment. Even though I didn´t know this particular sad and outraging story before, I know many stories about things like this. I don´t know what grieves me more: The stories of children being abused and murdered by strangers (which happened again here in Germany two weeks ago), or the stories of parents doing these things to their own children. I myself have two little ones, and, yes, I can be angry with them occasionally. But to beat them up, drown them, let them starve...These things go beyond my powers of imagination. What can be done? I honestly don´t know. I am at a complete loss trying to wrap my brain around these deeds... All I know is: These people should not have had children in the first place, and no child deserves to be treated that way. Yours, ~Nina

you are right on so many levels. Unfortunately this story is more despicable and salascious than even that. The mother lived here in Ohio, about 30 minutes from me and was dating Riley Ann's father. She met a man online, and after knowing him for a few weeks moved herself and her daughter in with him, half a country away to Texas. No notice or anything, apparently. The father had no idea what happened to his daughter until the police identified her. Meanwhile the trial is going on now, and some chilling testimony is occuring. What sickened me most last week was the couple who killed Riley Ann were at a company picnic two weeks later apparently enjoying themselves and whooping it up like nothing had happened. Riley's mother actually gave birth to a son in prison. It's things like this that make me question humanity. Mark W. Galatians 5:22-23 "22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against these, there is no law!" My favorite verse(s) in the Bible

Lindberg baby Wounded Knee Mi Lia Caylee Riley Ann thankfully I was given up social services got me read many stories about mans inhumanity to man but there is non more sickening then those of crimes against the most defensless the most innocent adults against adults bad yes but children i went head to head with a child rapist he got very angry with me something about pointing him out calling him out he got year in jail for a crime against a child life is brutal and cheap his second charge!!!!! I know many who got raped as kids men and women beautiful people wounded every day the news if full of this kind of evil some luckily get the electric chair for murder its not a perfect world this poem is done well no maudlin overbearing sentiments just the tender heartstrung facts a tear in my eye I put this off for so long but couldnt avoid it wonderful write

I get the gist of the poem was that her last words,. her last words keep coming up. She was capable of love, but the parents were not, that is the lesson that she taught..... I love you. Let us not forget to love one another, Love, Patty

Sad and sick as it is. The Island where she was found off Galveston has been renamed "Riley's Island" and a cross and plaque has been put up. The news story of the trial and events leading up to her identification can be read here. http://www.click2houston.com/newsarchive/18605226/detail.html#- It still makes me mad enough I could kill. Respectfully, Rett: "Next time you think you're perfect, walk on water."

Janice I have not heard of this sad event before. I am sad to hear again and again the inhumanity of man. This innocent child her sad short life that was taken in such a tragic way. I hope she does not have any of the memories or understands what cast her away. People like this I am sorry to say are such cowards They are so insecure about themselves. But a few are victims too. But that is no excuse What they did to you Riley Ann. I myself suffered as a young child up to the age of two years by whatever my birth parents did to me? For me to be in hospital month after month from the age of 1yr to 2yrs I have no recollection but have heard rumors. They do say that you mind blocks out such Horrors which I am thankful for. This is a very touching poem my friend. Can I dare asked what prompted you To create this remembrance of a Beautiful child now at peace. So let her be a peace and with the angels sing and play forever and a day. Electric Blue