USA Africa Dialogue Series - Child Soldier Soliloquy

(Poem By: Chidi Anthony Opara)

 

Bayonets

Burst into my abode

And snatched me

From mother's bosom.

Bayonets bound me

And lay me

Beside bound bodies.

We are on the way

To the war camp.

Father watched

From the mass grave.

 

Drills,

Griefs,

Groans.

We are ladened with rifles,

We are clad

In makeshift military coats,

We are child soldiers.

 

Our land is despoiled,

Our youth is ravaged,

Our innocence is lost.

The abodes

Of the good gods

Have been profaned.

 

On the bloodstained platter

Power

Is now served to gang leaders

Decked with garlands

Standing on shaky planks of peace.

 

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