MONDAY THOUGHTS: POETRY PROMPT---CHILD OF WAR

CHILD OF WAR

The innocence in those eyes 

How quickly is it leaving? 
The stress upon her little heart 
How violently is it beating? 
Does she even know her name? 
How terrified is she? 
Should she survive; just stay alive 
How angry will she be? 

What will she remember? 
Who will she become? 
What will her future, cold words say
That "they" all should have done? 
Will someone teach her empathy 
Or will she turn away; 
Adopt an angry countenance 
Prefer to embrace hate?

She'll grow, and learn that millions
Saw her picture flashed on screens
That many talked, and voiced disdain
But no one did a thing
How can the world not feel her pain 
And be so callous? How? 
Hurt people grow to hurt people. 
She needs a hero, NOW
Now--before she starts to think
There's no standard she can raise
That there is no help anywhere
No righteousness to praise
 
The child wasn't born cynical
We're making her that way
What threat is she to billionaires?
For whose faults must she pay?
No. 

Stuff doesn't just happen
Someone evil plots against
Defenseless, displaced souls 
Whose basic wishes should make sense

No.

Stuff doesn't just happen

Not every act's an accident

Neither outrage, nor apologies

Can undo ruthless intent

And when those schemed against, lash out,
Want justice; seek revenge
Everyone plays dumb; 
Can't explain why "they're so unhinged"

"Get over it", 

"Move on", 

"Just leave"

Are so easy to say

From the comfort of our homes

Where we're watered, fed, and safe

No bombs are raining over us

But Nature seems to be

Making sure that we get a taste

Of loss, and grief, and need

We're good at blaming the oppressed

And turning a blind eye

And ignoring the blueprints

That History supplies

We're good at justifying 

What we'd in no way allow

We herald Peace and Liberty

We say we love Democracy

We see lives lost in infancy

Yet fuel war, anyhow

At what point does Grace disappear

And Madness takes its place?

When does Reason exit

And by Vengeance, is replaced?

Just peer into to their childhoods

You'll find trauma in the air
Those who should have been protectors
Dropped the ball, and left them there
Confused and disillusioned
No advocate in sight
Forgetting they are human beings
Preferring more to fight
Over a world that's overflowing
With enough for all to share
But Pride and Greed seem to precede
Humanity and Care

Where is she now
The little child
Has she found comfort yet?
Or have her cries now multiplied
Along with our regret
For forgetting, once again
To do better when we know;
That History repeats itself,
We'll reap the pain we sow

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