land mines sleeping sweet
underneath the pattering feet
first a gentle shudder felt
then schrapnel the soft skin does pelt

an eye for an eye
what do children do?
to reap the profits of the evil men do
to wear the shame if they make it through

kick the can, tow the line
war's reminders fairly shine
with illumination from 
a grim destination
hell's bells ring loudly

the prophet sees the idiocy
but his lips in silence say
come out, come out children
there are more of your nation's debts to pay

looks the sightless, maimed child
in the eyes
cries
god in heaven, in anger defies

submit the bill to the undertaker
thirty dragon, blood doth slake her
leaders of nations, a call to arms
stop the evil, stop the harm

cradle the innocent in your arms

Sherry Gilles ©1998 

stands at the side of the road
bloated belly protrudes
hanging onto mama's hand
whilst a baby nurses at mama's dry breast

the haunting eyes
of all stare into the abyss
for what but War
has it come to this?

little sticks for arms and legs
bare support the child's head
not long for life, what fine mind here
thinks, despairs, marked for death

heart once strong, shudder
for the baby life is over
wrapped in a shroud
god's tears spill from the clouds

but for want of grain
to spare the pain
ohh never to be hungry 
again

while we
gorge free

in the land of the free
the home of the endless
vast miles 
of the drive thru

Sherry Gilles ©1998 June 14