Along the boulevard medium
(we call it the neutral zone)
Lacy Blue Ribbons 
mark each oak as being
aligned with children
fending off abuse.

Do people even know?
Or do they misinterpret, 
not caring about message
or whether another child
ends up in the ER
wrapped in bandages?

Perhaps if the children
were encircled instead
in bright blue bandages
and set along the road
pitiful and helpless
passersby would get it.

You'd hear then
a momentary sigh; 
"Oh well, what can be done?
I mean, there's just so many"
and they, each and every,
will drive on by.