Little Toy Soldiers

Little Toy Soldiers going off to war
None will ever live to  see age twenty four
None of them even  know what they're fighting for
Little Toy Soldiers going off to war

The world has always been this way
With Emperors and Kings
Fighting with toy soldiers
And the glory that it brings

Land, beliefs, religion
The basis of the war
fought by young toy soldiers
Who all die by the score

Time has taught us nothing
But, it's changed the way we fight
War is a full day job
Now that it is fought at night

The boards of little armies
Are now shown up on the screen
With all the little soldiers
Lit in different shades of green

They used to be all metal
Painted up in nice bright shades
With a General on horseback
Leading all his smart brigades

Then, the men were plastic
glued to bits of wood
Behaving as a unit
Just like a soldier should

Now, the war is different
They're up there in different hues
You can watch them fight in real time
Just like on the nightly news

The only thing remaining
The thing that's stayed the same
Is that nobody in power
Know the Little Soldiers names

Little Toy Soldiers going off to war
None will ever live to  see age twenty four
None of them even  know what they're fighting for
Little Toy Soldiers going off to war

April 29 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Gondolf Avatar
May 22, 2018 at 5:37 PM
There is so much truth to your words Roger, I think back to my early 20's when the Vietnam war was raging; while I didn't serve in Vietnam, I was in the army at the time and stood ready to go and we believed it was the right thing to do. Now fifty years later we know the truth... Nicely penned my friend. John
Adams Avatar
April 27, 2018 at 6:53 PM
Very well written and rhymed! Well done!
Doll Avatar
April 25, 2018 at 8:28 AM
How true and what a great read. Will be one of my favorites. Congrats on making the Best New Poet list, Roger!
Krutsinger Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 8:19 PM
I pressed FAV on this poem before I read the second stanza. You have expressed my thoughts completely and thoroughly. Nice!
Turner Avatar
April 24, 2018 at 10:27 PM
thanks Caren for the support. glad you like this enough to make it a favorite. roger
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