Boy Soldiers

Dad, why are those men carrying flags? Because it's a parade To honor our country Then the little boy asked, Were you an Army man? Yes, I was. Now look straight ahead to the Flag son. Why do the Army men in wheelchairs Have ribbons on their chests? They're for bravery son Do you have any? I wasn't as brave as them. Now look straight ahead to the Flag son. Can I be a soldier one day? Only if you grow up big and strong Stand tall and straight Have a steady hand With good eyes And aren't afraid Then you can be a soldier. Sitting around the kitchen table Listening to their fathers and uncles talk of the days when they were young Boys grow up Listening to the glories of war Adventure and camaraderie And guns and things. Years later another war begins From old wounds never healed Young boys become men And answer the call During the war Soldiers slog on Mired in mud Deep in fight They obey this And do that But no one wants To see a soldier On his back. Politicians will say The outcome of war Rests with the people But once the war starts And the killings begin Politics becomes business Dirty tricks a diversion And truth a casualty. People ask Who is in charge? No one answers Reasons not given Only lies and Pointed fingers And the voice at the top Has no blame. But one thing is certain When all is said There will be bloodshed and Many dead. Ask the old men Who know about war And drink to memories of long ago Boys were led to believe Stories made of lies The simple truth Never told Is fathers lied And soldiers died.