Missing Children

You only see them briefly
 Perhaps just one edition
 Their end-of-year photo stares out
 We only see them briefly
 And it's muggin' politicians
 Cock-eyed, their faces stare out
 But for some their image still burns bright
 Like the glow of a tiger or a light
 Switched-off, but once stared-at
 With such intense concentration
 You only see them briefly
 Then it's idle conversation
 Their perfect frozen bodies certain
 You only see them briefly
 Then it's fear and degradation
 Their dusty, bloodied bodies lie here
 But for some their image still burns bright
 Like the glow of a tiger or a light
 Switched-off, but once stared-at
 With such intense concentration
 And one shoulder and one arm
 Can twist the sinews of thy heart
 And when thy heart began to beat
 What dread hands and what dread feet
 What the hammer, what the chain
 You are falling towards that rain
 What the anvil, what dread grasps
 Dare its deadly terror grasps
 You only see them briefly
 Then it's shame and flagellation
 Their end-of-year photos stare out
 Wind starts to down their spears
 And water heaven with their tears
 Did he smile, it's worth to see
 Did he who made them glare briefly
 You only see them briefly
 Then reach to change the station
 Their frozen perfect faces stare out