CHILD SOLDIER

A brief smile whispers shadows A rifle his burden, innocence lost Bruises on both elbows Eyes clouded with a thousand sorrows. A painting of a young soul, no longer a child But a half-grown man who has seen too much. His grin reveals brown teeth A tbacco’s stain playground Hair bushy, not black but brown Dreams taking cover in his eyes. A boy conscripted, his spirit dies In the painting, a silent cry.