September 21, 2025
For the contest "The Children of Gaza" by Matt Caliri
The children of Gaza have learned to hide and hold their ears until bombings subside Their dreams are colored now by mottled red And a place in soft dirt has become bed Their hands reach high for even some bread mold Instead, little hands need toys they can hold frightening nights as stars have ceased to shine For long ago, happy days children pine Children suffer among the most, it seems For years, noise of war creeps into their dreams They live midst hate and fear everyday. Lose family, best friends who used to play How can they possibly think through this fear bombs whining as they fall, is what they hear Sadness meets them at each corner they turn To not hate is the lesson they must learn Warm bath, soft bed those children sorely need and we Earthlings must plant different seed we need to insure a sweet dream each night, and a world where children live without fright.
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