A Letter of Contempt;

Dear Sir and Madam:

It is with great
hesitation
that I write this note.
That hesitation? It does not
stem
from our not
knowing each other,
nor from subject, content
contained.

Quite simply, the hesitation
comes
from the needing
to write this a'tall - a fact
implying
you will not grasp
the severity
of matters - Your
Son, Your Grandson,
the Son
of my Cousin and his
wrist broken.

Wednesday, while roller-blading
without
protective gear;
an act
of neglect
in itself; he fell.

You
know this, you
were there.

Once clear
this
was more
than "just a fall" -
you
contacted
my cousin.

And after the tale
of the event was relayed?
Her response very clear, very
direct - take the boy
to the ER.

Grandmother, Father, this
should not be needed - should
be obvious, done
of your own accords.

Yet
somehow -
was not.

Instead,
contacting his Mother,
asking her guidance;
And once given?
Still
you were unable, unwilling
to do
what needed
doing.

The result?
A child - the only
one who matters
in this equation, not
You, not I, nor the Mother;
my cousin - spent three (plus)
days without proper,
adequate care - did this
under your
supervision!

We will not
bother
exploring
that which is broken
is his primary wrist;
that the longer the delay
in the treatment, the setting, of bones,
the greater the risk
of long-term
negative
impact
to his life
becomes.

We will disregard
the several days
in pain - We will disregard
this result
of a selfish lack
of action.

As singularities,
these
are bad enough - but
there remains more - your inaction
requires his wrist
re-broken
on Thursday.

I
Would like
for you to think
about that.

I
Would like
for you to think
about the discomfort,
the possible physical
ramifications
of your behaviors. I
Would like
for you to think
about the trauma - a child
to willingly submit
to his arm re-broke.

I
Would like
for you to think
about
these things.

I
Would like
for you to think
about them, to understand -
appropriate and justified -
my Cousin's
outrage
to this neglect. To consider
that she is entirely
within reason, within right;
reluctant
to send either
child
your way in the near
future.

A final thought - should
you choose to play
"children
get hurt
all the time"
I would submit
you have made
my point of your failings
for me.

Dear Sir and Madam, enjoy
your day; and please -
the next time
a child
tells you there is pain,
would you step - no matter
how brief - out of your selfish
selves? Will you consider
the well-being of one
who looks
to You
for protection, for guidance;
your Son,
your Grandson, the Son
of my Cousin?

Respectfully,

B. W. Vittum

_(04-20-2010)