Woeful Tones

• Jacob Debets, Grade 11, St Joseph's College
• Poetry
• 2009

3rd in the 'Xtreme Read 2009' competition

The woeful tones of children young,
Their bodies ravaged, lies been strung,
Order in this world is sought,
But some such things cannot be bought,
Money, power, lust and greed,
A time of chaos will this lead,
Anger flare and missiles fly,
Cities burn as young men die,
Armies trudge on war torn earth,
Countless infants slayed at birth,
Our world is ruined, lives been lost,
What reward is worth this cost?
For time will pass, these lessons learned,
Tended wounds and mercy yearned,
And once again we'll pledge no more,
And live again in fear or war