John Hamilton Poet Dramatic Monologue

Collateral Damage

Mara- Collateral damage

Hi, my name is Mara, I'm six years old, I have brown hair and brown eyes. People say I'm pretty like my mom, but, I don't know how that matters now.

My mom said she named me Mara because it means bitterness, my being born has only caused my family bitterness, as we are 4 children, in a war torn land. I am a girl and no one wants a girl, unless they are useful in some way.  

My father escaped the war, and fled to America, he says to find us a better life. I don't understand how leaving us here would give us a better life!  It's so dangerous here for woman, and even girls like me. 

The only men we see are soldiers, or freedom fighters. My three brothers Ahmed 13, Sammir 12, Nicolo 11, went to get food at the market last week, they were looking for huma...humana....humani..tar i an relief. They were all killed when a bomb went off.  I miss them a lot! No relief for me, I haven't eaten for a week.

I would love to go to school but all the schools are closed, most of the buildings are blown up, so I don't think I will go to school anyway.  

My Mom left yesterday to play with the soldiers, she told me if you play with the soldiers they will give you food. I'm so hungry!! 

Rat atat atat ata atatt       knock knock knock open up, open up this door!!!  Mom?      I'm so glad your back! (opens door) 

hey your not my mom! 
Rat atat atat. 

(Voice from behind) hey there's nobody here!! Let's go, lets go!

My name is Mara, I was 6 years old, now I'm dead. I guess I'm what they call collateral damage!

John Derek Hamilton
July 11,2017
First place premium contest winner
but who cares about a win really in this case.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

1 2

JP Thomas October 17, 2018 at 3:10 PM Wow! John Hamilton October 17, 2018 at 9:39 PM Thanks JP

Leanne Lovejoy-Burton February 17, 2018 at 7:20 AM John, I have just read this poem. Gut wrenching. What can the world do? What can we do to save the children? Just gut wrenchingly sad. Is it any wonder children are picking up a gun and using it. John Hamilton February 17, 2018 at 9:21 AM Thanks for your visit Leanne, I know it's so sad, this world will get worse before it get's better, I believe we need God's kingdom to rule. This world is ruled by the archenemy...for now...after the final war by God against all evil, peace will reign. Sorry if the poem was distressing, but that is reality for now! Take care! John

Susan Ashley September 22, 2017 at 7:52 PM Belated congrats on your first place win and POTD honors John on this deeply emotive and evocative write. The way you told Mara's story made me feel like she was speaking directly to me... a very special, important, sensitive, powerful and heart wrenching poem that needed to be written. Thank you for sharing this poem John. John Hamilton September 22, 2017 at 8:00 PM Thanks Susan, I wasn't going to post this but with the contest prompt I KNEW i had to write this, it is SO not my style, but as you say it needed to be said. Like the first poem I posted about the Syrian boy who was found dead on the beach in Turkey, these message poems are what touches my heart so much. Thanks for your kind visit!

Freddie Robinson Jr. July 28, 2017 at 12:24 PM Truth on power blast this poem be, John. Great write and win! Love the grittiness ... you didn't shy away from showing us the horrors of war. Keep being a truth-teller poetic sage, my friend. Love and peace always. John Hamilton July 28, 2017 at 3:08 PM Thanks Freddie sometimes the truth is painful. This one hurts! I appreciate the visit and comment as always!

Sunita U.D Palawon July 24, 2017 at 1:00 AM A powerful write. Same story of greed/war/miseries and abuse which is a prominent quality of human nature. You expressed it so skilfully here. Congrats on potd. :) Sunita John Hamilton July 24, 2017 at 7:57 AM Thanks Sunita

Thomas Hsi July 19, 2017 at 7:36 AM A sad but beautiful poem about the loss of life and innocence in war zones. I like the part about, "Mommy said if you 'play' with the soldiers they will give you food." So very, very sad! John Hamilton July 19, 2017 at 10:43 AM Thank you Thomas

Jan Allison July 15, 2017 at 7:21 PM such an emotive piece John I'm so glad you posted it for the contest and also my congrats on POTD honours it is VERY well deserved:-) hugs Jan xx John Hamilton July 15, 2017 at 7:42 PM Thanks Jan

Gary Bateman July 15, 2017 at 7:49 AM Hello John, Congratulations here on your win and for the POTD honor!! A truly riveting dramatic monologue, which certainly highlights a most unfortunate circumstance occurring in the past and certainly today in many of the war-torn hot spots worldwide. An extraordinarily powerful narrative for sure!! A FAVE!! Cheers and Best, Gary John Hamilton July 15, 2017 at 3:44 PM I wrote this before the contest, but was NOT going to post it! Somehow the contest impelled me to post it. It is so unlike my usual writing. Thanks Gary for your wonderful comments and fave, of which I am humbled and grateful. Thanks again John

Kudzai Mhangwa July 15, 2017 at 7:40 AM Congratulations John! Well done on talking about people who are often forgotten in such an engrossing and powerful manner John Hamilton July 15, 2017 at 3:42 PM Thanks Kudzai

Maria Williams July 14, 2017 at 9:00 AM Congratulations on winning the contest and also the POTD on this very emotive and sad piece John. A tale that's enacted again and again in many parts of the world. I feel for them. Thanks for highlighting their plight. When will we ever learn? Maria John Hamilton July 14, 2017 at 11:58 AM Thanks Maria

Joanna Daniel July 14, 2017 at 5:21 AM This is sad but a startling story, John, though it's the same in all war torn nations:( you have a great way of presenting, double congratulations on your win and POTD :) John Hamilton July 14, 2017 at 7:40 AM Thanks Jo

Lin Lane July 13, 2017 at 9:03 PM A sorrowful tale that you told in an excellent manner, John. I'm happy that you won the contest. John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 9:10 PM Thanks Lin

Andrea Dietrich July 13, 2017 at 8:21 PM hey, congrats on POTD as well!! John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 9:10 PM Thanks Andrea

Eve Roper July 13, 2017 at 7:25 PM Congratulations on POTD, John, very heartfelt. John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 9:10 PM Thanks Eve

Joseph May July 13, 2017 at 4:32 PM A very sad story of what children face in war torn countries...Congrats on POTD John John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 9:09 PM Thanks Joseph

Elizabeth Kinch July 13, 2017 at 12:34 PM BIG CONGRATULATIONS on POTD. This is so powerful and emotive. John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 1:11 PM Thanks Elizabeth

Connie Marcum Wong July 13, 2017 at 12:23 PM Congratulations on POTD John! Extra frosting on the cake! : ) John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 1:10 PM Thanks Connie

Sunlite Wanter July 13, 2017 at 9:49 AM Tears! It's not always far away at a war. We have cases close by in our cities. Drive-by shootings when a child is hit by stray bullets; an innocent 13 year old girl kidnapped and shot several times and killed over drugs. Congratulations for this poignant story! John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:11 AM Thanks Sunlite

Charlie Smith July 13, 2017 at 9:28 AM Back to congratulate you for POTD honors, maybe this featured work will bring greater voice to the subject. Well done my friend... John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:12 AM Thanks Charlie

Edward Mccall July 13, 2017 at 8:11 AM Well penned John, war is horrific and no one seems to care about the collateral damage. Congrats on POTD. John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:12 AM Thanks Edward

Agnes Krampe July 13, 2017 at 7:36 AM Powerful write, John. Congrats on POTD and on your well deserved contest win. John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:12 AM Thanks Agnes

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart July 13, 2017 at 7:06 AM Wow John, congratulations on win and potd. I read this one and was too overwhelmed to comment at the time. I knew you had a winner though! Well done. xomo John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:13 AM Thanks Maureen

Daniel Turner July 13, 2017 at 7:03 AM Back to say congratulations John on POTD John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:13 AM Thanks Danny!

Akkina Downing July 13, 2017 at 6:50 AM WOW!! Powerful- sad and heart touching. Totally had me tear up this early morning. Great write, John and congratulations.. :) John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:14 AM Thanks Akkina

Maria Williams July 13, 2017 at 6:44 AM A deeply emotional write John. Reality so sad for some. Congrats on POTD. So well deserved....Maria John Hamilton July 13, 2017 at 10:14 AM Thanks Maria

1 2