War and Children

I tell a tale of younger days
When I was just a kid
I went to school in war time
As many others did

We would collect the shrapnel
From the big guns overnight
Most shells missed their target
But would still cause aircrews fright

Maybe on our way to school
A house a smoking wreck
We were not allowed to close
To see we'd crane our neck

The bombers came in waves at night
We didn't get much sleep
Scant room inside that concrete box
Jammed like a mob of sheep

The all clear goes it's back to bed
And then to rise again
The German aircraft overhead
And down the bombs would rain

I lived in Highbury at the time
Where guns fired to the sky
Both sides tried to kill or maim
I often wondered why

Even now I'm older
I still don't understand
Why humans are so agro
And can't live hand in hand

Is it just the Makers way
To make our numbers fall
We have no other predators
It really is our call

I hope that when I've left this earth
Intelligence will reign
We will control our populations
And not need war again

There will be no little children
With gas mask in a pack
See such death and destruction
On their way to school and back

ageboychildhoodballad

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