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Little Boy

Little boy with a toy gun
Dreams of all that might be fun
To be fully clad in combat gear
And go into battle with no fear
A hero he would like to be
Even though he cannot see
That heroes today are hard to discern
From the victims created without concern
By politicians who think it fine
To support an economy based on crime
Who is it that wins in war
Politicians corporations so many more
Who never see the horror and gore
Just sit at home adding up the score
Measured by profits next quarter’s gain
Riding the military gravy train
Little boy think real hard
You mustn’t ever disregard
What life would be like to come home scarred
Or in a box with an honor guard
The government issues you combat boots 
Then leaves you homeless and destitute
TBI PTSD paraplegic or amputee
The VA tries to serve them well
But the government that sent them to hell
Makes many promises then builds a wall
Cutting off resources creating a pall
So many veterans waiting in pain
Ignored by their country
Such a great shame
Little boy with a toy gun
War really isn’t very much fun
Put aside your dreams of glory
Listen to the veterans sad true story

H Tunick  July 2015

Copyright © Howard Tunick | Year Posted 2015

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Lori Joseph Date: 1/13/2016 1:11:00 PM Hello Howard, The events on 9/11 caused a great uptick in our youths desire to serve our country. My son is now serving. I wonder if you could you could write a poem, based on yours, from the perspective of a young man who feels this obligation to serve in our military? A poetic conversation, if you will, between "The Little Boy and Veteran. Login to Reply Howard Tunick Date: 1/13/2016 7:19:00 PM Very interesting idea Lori. Thank you for the suggestion. I'm a Viet Nam vet. There was no good or honorable reason to enlist. My perspective is a bit jaundiced. Pearl Harbor and 9/11 were very good honorable reasons to enlist. I will try to turn my head around and see if an appropriate idea and absolutely necessary opening rhyme will make itself apparent. I will try. I thank your son and you for his service. I must admit, I am not a poet. My poems are really spontaneous accidents. But I will try.

Franklin Price Date: 1/8/2016 7:15:00 AM Always about money and power with the masses the pawns. Login to Reply Howard Tunick Date: 1/8/2016 9:35:00 PM From top to bottom every smarmy step of the way.... money, power, celebrity....

Kl Williams Date: 7/31/2015 1:01:00 PM So sad and true. Very well written. Thank you for sharing. :) Login to Reply Howard Tunick Date: 12/23/2015 1:03:00 PM Thank you KL. It is too sad and too true.

Afolabi Muideen Date: 7/28/2015 5:52:00 PM Your write swims smoothly in the heart of the readers, this precious write is intriguing. Excellent.........A.M. Login to Reply Howard Tunick Date: 7/28/2015 9:00:00 PM Thank you so much Afolabi. Your appreciation is very much appreciated.

Richard D Seal Date: 7/26/2015 3:19:00 PM Great message Howard and well written. Take care, Richard Login to Reply Howard Tunick Date: 7/26/2015 6:42:00 PM Thank you Richard. Too many hurting vets. Too many young'uns to young to know.