Poem – Children At War – Dedicated to The Girl Child Soldier

CHILDREN AT WAR

 

Little girl, hidden in the
bush,

Why aren’t you with your mother
today?

Little boy, so far from home,

Who put that gun in your
hand?

Child soldiers, what do you
understand

Of rebels’ causes and
governments,

Broken cease-fires and
armaments?

 

You only know you are a slave

For sex, or killing, or running
away.

You are here to fight and die

For adults who never tell you
why

As they steal your childhood
away.

 

Your uniform should be some
school’s;

You should sleep safe in a fresh,
clean bed,

No horrors to torment or numb
you,

As Mother’s song sings in your
head.

 

Oh, children! May you find a
home,

Where you remember how to
play!

May you recall times before it
all

Came undone on an evil day

When soldiers carried you
away.

 

####

 

Dr.
Carole R.
Fontaine