Prayer of an Innocent Child

The homely ravages of war

Our Father who art in heaven

I can’t bear to lose him while I’m only seven

Please don’t let Father go to war

Where gunshots fire and canons roar

 

You have let Father be deployed

And please help Mother tend to her poor heart’s void

For now a uniform he wears

While he sails keep him in your care

 

Now he’s in the dirty trenches

While Mother with her upset fists she clenches

And I am here, alone to pray

While he’s there, alone in the fray

 

Father has been hurt quite badly

Mother says it’s all okay, but too sadly

I know that something has gone wrong

For he has been gone far too long

 

Father will not come home today

Mother says, “Among the poppies he will lay”

You’ve taken him away from me

To death’s door you’ve given him the key

Author's Note

Written for Remembrance Day and sent to the Canadian Legion for a poetry contest.

Reviews

[ocean_side]

Probably a pretty accurate portrayal of a child's take on their father going to war. Very sorrowful and well written. I hear it as a dialogue of the young child, kneeling by their bed with their hands folded together; sadly and dutifully praying for their father.

Great piece.

[Riley Justine]

Thank you so much!

[Richard Patrick]

It is well done. The poem tells us the children been brought knowledge that is given to the parents. Your poem is very well created, it explains how children are effected by the death of parents in war time. It is a heart felt loss for the children and the remaining parent. Thank you for supplying this to us.

[Zac]

This is a very sad and emotional poem.
We all hope that this never has to happen again.
Hope to read more!

[Jamestown]

Fantastic writing, I pray for all of our heroes in uniform and there families,
beautiful tribute, thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Riley Justine]

Thank you so much for reviewing. It means a lot :)