Children Of War Comments

The question you ask is so potent and compelling. Yet there is an answer found at James 1: 23. I know that you are familiar with scripture, by the very nature of your question. Read mine – If There Be No God - Adeline

Thanks so much for this poem. God bless you. Many do evil for one person's greed.. Evil must stop

This poem is as good as any I have read on this site, to date. You've undoubtedly searched your soul and put a lot of thought into the writing of this piece. Fifteen year old children fought in the first and second world wars, on both sides. Hitler was a self proclaimed christian. George W. Bush's family made their fortune in oil. Tony Blair spoke to God before committing British troops to fight in Iraq. What's changed?

I like this poem Noreen. I understand the message here. What I don't understand is the reference to God at the end. What do the people who start these wars believe in? The troubles of Ireland Nationalist v. Loyalists. Or rather Catholics v. Protestants. However it's described it was basically a religious war. Both religions worship the same God. Who was on God's side? Who's side was God on? Why would two christian religions war with each other? There is so much that no-one will ever understand about religion. No-one will ever know for sure because there is no evidence. Yet people are prepared to maim and kill in the name of religion. Are these people truly religious because I can't believe that any God, of any religion, would condone the atrocities that happen and always have happened here on earth.

true and very sad what the children of the world have to do..good poem to bring to the fore while the rest of the world buries their heads in the sand thanks for this...regards

This poem brings to the fore a raging issue, i.e use of children in the war. Although it seems it is the work of the Africans, the root cause lies somewhere else. The war mongers, who want wars to continue for ever in some parts of the world or the other, to sell their war munitions and machinery, are the ones behind the inspiration (or enticement?) . Boy soldiers kill and know no pity. When they march upon a city. It will be too late too late. when hatreds knocking on the gate. - True. This hatred will spare no one. Can love replace all hatred in the world?

This is really am amazing poem, the passion, the horror, the heartbreak and the love lost.

Portrayed the horror of war and I give this a 10 Noreen

A Fantastic flow of words from your pen, Noreen. Very true said, its really pathetic where children are forced to join military to commit crimes.... A thought provoking poem with great message. Loved reading it.

Wow. I imagined the African guerillas before I even read the note. Thanks for this! It's really sad to look around us at all the frivolous people worried about fashion and the newest celebrity scandal - and yet not many (at least not in high schools, I know) know about the African children murdering and being murdered. All we can do is try to inform people and try to educate those poor souls who think they are doing something glorious. Greg Mortenson's efforts, for instance, are a good example. And then hopefully, some perfect day when Moshiach comes, we will have Shalom. Shalom to you, fellow poet! -Fiona

thanks for sharing Noreen, ABOUT THE POEM, ignoring the subject matter: [without getting too picky, as i sometimes may do]....... in the lines: God gave us hands to do His bidding. He gave us hearts that we might care. If we don't show then God is absent. .......................SHOW WHAT? .....that we care? it's not clear to ME. without discussing the poem with you, i'm afraid i'll not know how some of your lines relate to others. no matter, i get the general picture. AND i did guess africa before i read the poet note (thanks for that also!) thanks for some rhymes and for not insisting that you use more rhymes than are convenient to the story. AS FOR THE SUBJECT MATTER, and some of your thoughts and thoughts of at least one other comment-leaver: i guess the more civilized countries (like the u.s.a.) have better morals because they use men who are not boys to do the fighting, with the help of drones and missiles, planes and ships, et al. (sarcasm?) kanav says: perhaps one day when the entire human race gets intellegent (sic) enough to see..... what good a war does, , , there shall be no war, , , wonderful write I SAY: war DOES do good for some people..........those who profit in some way by it, whether they be warlords or generals or dictators or presidents or oil companies or munitions companies. i am opposed to all wars but am on the fence about whether my country should do ALL it can to avoid participation in ALL wars. some things may be worth fighting for. i suppose i could think of wars as nasty methods of population control; that should elicit some nice responses. wars are also good training for a military in case the military ever has to actually fight a defensive war on it's own property. it is actually the ones who survive a war that i feel more sorry for than the ones who die; i mean the ones who survive but suffer terrible consequences. I DON'T THINK POETRY, no matter how noble it may sound, will help the anti-war effort. well, at least not much. i just read a book Three Cups Of Tea about the building of schools (etc) (especially for girls) in pakistan and afghanistan....... done be an american non-profit organization started by an ex-mountain climber, Greg Mortenson(?) . it seems like a worthwhile effort to help curtail the growth of young Muslim terrorists in that part of the world. check it out, perhaps? AND I THINK GOD IS ASLEEP OR KNOWS SOMETHING WE DON'T KNOW or we don't want to admit about wars etc. personally i don't believe (any more) in God, and one reason is because so much suffering does occur on earth and so much suffering is forecast (at least by christians) for unbelievers in their afterlife.....HELL! yikes! something else i no longer believe in (hell) . of course if there is HELL, i guess that i might see some of you there. well, i hope this finds all poemhunter poets and readers safe and content and peaceful today. bri :)

perhaps one day when the entire human race gets intellegent enough to see the what good a war does, , , there shall be no war, , , wonderful write

this is so amazing Noreen, very well done hits you good.

A hardhitting powerful awesome poem on d kids taught war instead of education. Kudos! A pitiable state of affairs. And u ended d poem in a great punchline!

Pity them yes but who will speak. Stop this carnage make it cease the horror is so starkly portrayed!

what a lovely poem with a superb message loved it nice flow.... balanced and so readbale

When children are made tools in the hands of militants to perpetrate crime, the world is heading towards a crisis! With the birth of a blood thirsty young generation, lives and values might be wiped out from the face of the earth! Better hurry to avert this tragedy by what ever means we can ! As poets, we can conscientize others of the dangers of such suicidal acts! Great write, Noreen!

Hi Noreen, I love the beautiful rhythm and flow to this superb poem, about the evil of war and how children are made to suffer!

This is a lovely poem sending a message towards this ruthless war mongers, who not only destroy the civilization with their cruelty they are ruining themselves also. Still there is time, let those demons be corrected before destroying themselves....... very nice Noreen

Hi Noreen, really strong and noble well worded sentiments expressed here and for reason. The poor and the children in any society always bear the greatest suffering. This poem has an 8 from me. Have you read my poem, Amid? Cheers!