Soldier Boy

He's just a little boy,
With his shirt half on,
Soaked in the rain,

Not thinking he's cute,
Not thinking he's cool,
Just thinking,
'Before you kill me,
I've got to kill you.'

It looked like a game,
It looked like fun
But,
The harder he looked,
The more he wanted to run.

What would Mama say?
And what would Daddy do?
If they saw this?

He's got two friends,
Both on his side,
And,
His very own green jeep,
To take girls for a ride.

It looked like a game,
It looked like fun
But,
The harder he looked,
The more he wanted to run.

The imaginary toys that he used to use,
Are now in his hands,
So real, so cold.

The bombs are so loud,
The gunsmoke makes him blind,
And now,
He begins to realize
Truth is hard to find.

It looked like a game,
It looked like fun
But,
The harder he looked,
The more he wanted to run.

His friends have disappeared,
The green jeep is mere scrap metal,
And things are moving on.

The rain keeps falling,
He's not really seeing,
What,
It could mean,
This state of being.

It looked like a game,
It looked like fun
But,
The harder he looked,
The more he wanted to run.

Today it hurts.
Tomorrow it burns.
Who can stop the pain?

(Written December 11, 2002)

posted by Cassandra 5:50 PM

. . .

Spring

Scent of newly opened orange blossoms
Wafts through the discussion
Upon a warm Spring breeze
The sun smiles kindly down
Face like Gandhi
Warm and full of thoughtfulness

Sparkling pools
Twinkle in the last rays of the sunlight

Sunbeams invigorate
Give new hope
Refresh

Bare young trees stand resolutely
Harsh winds try to topple them
Bending, swaying
Moaning, groaning
Few topple
But many, most
Stand tall
Stand proud
Wait patiently for the dawn
Wait patiently for the warm breezes of Spring
To bring back the leaves of life
Renewal

Glittering dome
Vast canyon expanse
Coyote calls to the sliver moon
Calling forth the Spring
Birds gather new homes
Sparkling voices brighten the day like the sun
Rose red sky
Windows reflect the glory
Pale mountains turn glorious shades
A warm breath
Spring

(Written March 20, 2002)

posted by Cassandra 5:42 PM

. . .

The Blue Helmets

Been reading about these Canadian Peacekeepers
Other Peacekeepers too
The Blue Helmets Rock
Lester Pearson
Such a vision,
Even if today it has changed

Solider diplomats,
Are now
Human rights enforcers,
Relief workers,
All kinds of things to help out the world.

There are imperfections in the system,
They don't get a lot done,
They die,
Etc.

But,
If this world is going to keep having soliders,
Hoping to see the day,
When the majority of them wear the UN-Blue Helmets.

Am I naieve?
Probably.

But,
Looking at
What they have been able to accomplish,
Despite their failures,
Even because of their failures,
Things haven't stayed the same,
Conflicts have been resolved.
Buy the inordinate amounts of time,
Diplomats need to work out the legal figures,
To create peace.

More than that,
They rebuild bridges,
They deliver food,
Help establish schools,
Bring symbols of peace.

Though the fighting may continue,
At least they,
Symbolize Hope,
It will end.

(Written December 2, 2002)

posted by Cassandra 4:35 PM

. . .