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Trench

Submitted by Kelly Ann Wilson on Mon, 2023-04-24 03:30

*Content Warning*
Mass violence

Trench
Written by Kelly Ann Wilson

We once sent our children
On boats across a sea
And we called them soldiers
When they were barely 18

There was one Great War
And then there were two
We said never again
Lest we forget what we knew

They might look different now
In sneakers and backpacks
But those are the uniforms
They wear down in their trench

Shouldn't we know better now
Looking back
That their childhood innocence
Is ours to protect

In 100 years
What will they say of who we were
That three kids were killed at their desks
Today on this earth

Written March 27, 2023
© 2023 Kelly Ann Wilson

Style / type: 
Structured: Western
Review Request (Intensity): 
Please use care (this is a sensitive subject for me, do not critique harshly)
Last few words: 
I wrote this poem on the day of a mass shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. Read my writer's blog at https://kwilsonarts.wordpress.com/
Editing stage: 
Editing - polished draft
Contest: 
New Member Contest April 2023.
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

neopoet

Mon, 2023-04-24 03:30

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Geezer

Mon, 2023-04-24 09:03

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is one of many stories that have been written about the horrific incidents that have occurred around the United States, not only in schools, but in places normally thought of as safe, grocery stores, parades, and celebrations. You have touched upon
the idea that we are sending these children off to war unprepared. Indeed, what are we to say a hundred years from now, when we are asked why, how did this happen? I'm not sure that we will have an answer. I see nothing that I would change here. I feel that you have written a good, solid poem about a social problem that we must come to grips with very soon. Welcome to Neo. ~ Geezer.
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Lavender

Tue, 2023-05-09 15:26

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Hello, Kelly Ann,
From your strong title to your last word, your candid poem speaks volumes. Thank you for this.
Welcome to Neopoet.
Lavender

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