Danny Derden | + Follow Poet |
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TENDER VICTIMS

TENDER VICTIMS (Children of Gaza Contest)

Dust-covered children,
With tear-streaked faces
And bloodshot eyes.

Orphaned. Abandoned.
Offered no respite--
Empty promises and lies.

Barefoot in rubble,
Tiny hands reaching,
Covered in flies.

Surrounded by debris,
Shattered homes,
With none to hear their cries.

The six o’clock news
Tells their story--
And gets one or two sighs.

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Nette Onclaud Date: 9/17/2025 7:21:00 AM this piece reflects the sordid plight of gaza children in full force with raw images portraying the angst young voices need not own...powerful, danny! Login to Reply Danny Derden Date: 9/17/2025 7:45:00 AM I tried to capture in words & verse what should never need to be captured.

Victor Buhagiar Date: 9/16/2025 10:52:00 PM My heart goes out to lonely children. We need to help them. Login to Reply Danny Derden Date: 9/17/2025 5:41:00 AM Yes.

Valsa George Date: 9/16/2025 9:03:00 PM My heart goes out to those children who are almost orphaned. We needn't probe into the root cause of their suffering. however these children do not deserve such a fate. So poignant and composed so well with much empathy, dear Danny. Login to Reply Danny Derden Date: 9/17/2025 5:41:00 AM Truth. As to roots...they tend to have many branches going in many directions. I think one of the problems is people tend to look for simple reasons & simple solutions and the fact is there often isn't anything simple enough to satisfy them.

Susan Ashley Date: 9/16/2025 5:52:00 PM Dear Danny, your poem is potent with sharp, stark imagery of helpless children caught in the Gaza war zone while the rest of us view their demise from the warm comfort of our intact homes. The juxtaposition of the two worlds is powerful, meaningful, poignant, heart-breaking and thought-provoking. A haunting piece. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan Login to Reply Danny Derden Date: 9/16/2025 7:49:00 PM Glad to have hit my mark. Thank you.