Sandra Haight Poet Terza Rima

Notes About The Poem

Child Soldiers

A boy may play at war with toy type gun,
     although less now than in some years ago;
a make-believe endeavor just for fun.

     So shocking now, for currently, we know,
some third-world armies train boys very young- 
     to real war with real guns they go.

These boys, in war garb, with large weapons, flung-
     into small tender arms, make life/death calls.
Their childhood, gone- their value goes unsung.


August 25, 2016

~5th Place~
Contest: Knock Us Down With Your Lines
Sponsor: Olive Eloisa Guillermo
Judged: 09/15/2015


The UN has identified 14 countries where children have
been widely used as soldiers. These countries are 
Afghanistan, Colombia, the Central African Republic,
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Mali,
Myanmar, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan,
Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Reference: The Middle East Institute

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Ralph Sergi September 16, 2015 at 1:14 PM Hi Sandra: A very intense poem on the lost lives of children. MY COMPLIMENTS ON YOUR WIN. Sandra Haight September 18, 2015 at 7:54 PM Thank you, Ralph, for your comments. Much appreciated. Sandra

Dr. Upma A. Sharma September 16, 2015 at 1:19 AM Wonderful imagery n powerful words mark your superb write Sandra! Congrats on big win! Sandra Haight September 18, 2015 at 7:55 PM Thank you, Dr. Upma. A sad subject, but a real one that breaks our hearts. Thanks for your nice words and congrats. Hugs, Sandra

Skat A September 14, 2015 at 1:34 PM awesome win. SKAT Sandra Haight September 15, 2015 at 2:30 PM Thank you once again, Skat! Much appreciated. Sandra

Carrie Richards September 14, 2015 at 11:54 AM So heartbreaking is your poem, when little boys are taught to make it real, rather than make believe, ...there is no longer the innocence I knew in my childhood, playing with my brother. Well spoken in your poem. :) Sandra Haight September 15, 2015 at 2:30 PM Thanks for your nice comment, Carrie. Yes, it's a very different world we live in these days....Hugs, Sandra

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser September 14, 2015 at 5:33 AM *** Tender are the words but just the second half of the lines is tragic. You know how to deliver sad/tragic/strong subjects in lighter ways but still carrying that striking impact..CONGRATULATIONS and thank you for participating!!! =`) ~Olive Eloisa Sandra Haight September 15, 2015 at 2:29 PM Hi Olive, it was great to participate in your contest! Thank you so much for the great placement and nice comments about my poem. Hugs, Sandra

Andrea Dietrich August 27, 2015 at 11:00 PM Awesome, Sandra. You and I got inspired by the same picture and pretty much the same thoughts, just a little bit differently expressed! Sandra Haight September 2, 2015 at 8:33 PM Thanks, Andrea! I love your entry too! Sandra

Viv Wigley August 27, 2015 at 1:24 AM A superb commentary on an absolute tragedy, Sandra. Across the globe so many taken so young, and the survivors with their childhood stolen. Even this week, a video of an Islamic state child, probably only four years old, beheading a toy teddy bear and waving his serrated blade proudly. Utter madness. Great write. Viv x Sandra Haight August 27, 2015 at 6:53 PM Viv, I appreciate you stopping by to read my poem. I difficult subject to turn into a poem, but I tried, and I am pleased you found it worthy in expression of this horrible abuse in our world. Thanks again, Sandra