War's Misery

• Michael Cathers, Grade 11
• Poetry
• 2008

Peace would be ours
In an ideal world
No killing, no wounding
No grenades being hurled

No guns blazing
No widows of war
No children encountering
Land mines galore

No sticks in the school grounds
No arrows in the air
No guns on the screen
No war games anywhere

But sad to say
This world is imperfect
War really does happen
Misery is its effect

Imagine life without a leg,
Or without an arm
Missing friends and ones you love
War causes endless harm

What if your father said goodbye
And off he went to war
Your Dad would be in the danger zone
You may see him no more

What if you were 6 years old
And playing in the sun?
You used to have two healthy legs
Suddenly you have none

What if an expectant mum
Sat at home to pray
But gets the dreaded letter
That her husband’s MIA

What if you were badly hurt
And made it back half-sane?
Yes, it’s good to have your life
But would it be the same?

People risk their precious lives
People bravely fight
People persevere so well
For what they think is right

We should be appreciative
Of what they risk and do
Support them and their families
In all that they go through

Lest we forget