Sandra Haight | + Follow Poet |
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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

Copyright © Sandra Haight | Year Posted 2015

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Ralph Sergi Date: 9/16/2015 1:14:00 PM Hi Sandra: A very intense poem on the lost lives of children. MY COMPLIMENTS ON YOUR WIN. Login to Reply Sandra Haight Date: 9/18/2015 7:54:00 PM Thank you, Ralph, for your comments. Much appreciated. Sandra

Dr. Upma A. Sharma Date: 9/16/2015 1:19:00 AM Wonderful imagery n powerful words mark your superb write Sandra! Congrats on big win! Login to Reply Sandra Haight Date: 9/18/2015 7:55:00 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 Date: 9/14/2015 1:34:00 PM awesome win. SKAT Login to Reply Sandra Haight Date: 9/15/2015 2:30:00 PM Thank you once again, Skat! Much appreciated. Sandra

Carrie Richards Date: 9/14/2015 11:54:00 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. :) Login to Reply Sandra Haight Date: 9/15/2015 2:30:00 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 Date: 9/14/2015 5:33:00 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 Login to Reply Sandra Haight Date: 9/15/2015 2:29:00 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 Date: 8/27/2015 11:00:00 PM Awesome, Sandra. You and I got inspired by the same picture and pretty much the same thoughts, just a little bit differently expressed! Login to Reply Sandra Haight Date: 9/2/2015 8:33:00 PM Thanks, Andrea! I love your entry too! Sandra

Viv Wigley Date: 8/27/2015 1:24:00 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 Login to Reply Sandra Haight Date: 8/27/2015 6:53:00 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