Child Soldier

My village was dusty and burning Everyone was screaming and running I stood dumb in the chaos, my eyes rolling Tried to listen out for mother’s calling The noise of death was the only sound My pants wetted, a boot pinned me to the ground My hands numb but clasped behind my head I started to feel my life fade I felt all my senses sucked up by the sand Apart from the smell of fear all around A deep voice was barking menacingly I was temporarily oblivious of the captivity A prayer was too loud in my mind Asking God to tell mother to leave me behind To protect my unborn sister and head for the hills Hell had come to take my childhood against my will The pacing monster woofed foreign orders I almost shouted to mother not to fetch the bathwater Turn your back on your son and head to the border Run mother, run, I am now a child soldier