Child of Conflict

small hands fit tight in pockets

he stands alone beside a freshly dug

makeshift grave

.

blue hooded anorak provides

minimal protection against bitterly

cold winds

.

boots caked in thick mud

his grey trousers dirt stained

eyes wide open full moon misting

.

never again to see her warm smile

or to feel her loving embrace

when in need of comfort

.

today's reality strikes

bullet like into the hearts

of those with compassion

.

a child of six left bereft

his mother gone while brutality

and savagery live on 

Reviews

[Aura]

A casualty of war. Life lost, while savagery soars. It's heartbreaking when those lives are lost, as a result of conflicts that others more powerful than the average citizen can't resolve themselves, in this poem, a child lost his dear mother, someone they cared alot about, and someone who cared about them. How will their lives ever be the same again? What good ever comes out of war?? Nothing. Yet, we continue to have it all because of greed, conflict,that powerful people are too childish to resolve themselves and responsibly. A candid read.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Aura, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with all you have said. A tragedy with immense consequences. I appreciate your review and visit.

Chris

[Aura]

My pleasure.

[keith]

Bosnia and Herzegovina ring a bell?

it is well past time to take serious stand against russia
even if it means boots on the ground
russia has declared war on the world ... so be it!

were i could i would not hesitate to take up arms once again to do what i could in effort to help save the world

there is reason enough to take out the rabid dog

i apologize to you and all others for my angers
i know war ... i am and always will be a warrior

[Chris Shaw]

He:s out of control and likely to spread his wings further afield. Thank you for calling on this poem and especially for your final paragraph.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

In my lifetime. I saw the children of war. Their eyes, so heavy with sadness. Poor Ukraine, running away from their home. The heaviness of their sadness. Break your heart. Powerful and strong words. I pray Ukraine can survive. If not. Our world shall be in trouble. Thank you dear Chris for sharing the powerful words and thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you my friend. You know so well from first hand experience the horrors of warfare and how the children suffer. It is heartbreaking and I hope Ukraine survives it.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

Me too dear Chris. Break my heart seeing mothers holding children escaping to the unknown. Thank you for Poland and Romania. They have help millions.

[DIVYA]

Your sketch of the child is so heartbreaking, dear Chris and tells of the overflowing compassion in your heart. I think I read of a child in Ukraine who wrote a letter to his slain mother, telling her they'll meet in heaven again. No tears can suffice to wash away the pain felt from this kind of tragedy. I'm with you in the sorrow felt for all those suffering in the war.

[Chris Shaw]

What we see and read in our papers each day is a tragedy. The innocent suffer. War is evil and no one wins. Thank you dear DIVYA fir your understanding. Your reviews so valued.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

(a child of six left bereft his mother gone while brutality and savagery live on) What has this world come to? You've written it well my friend. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Sharon. Heartbreaking scenes coming out of this dreadful conflict. Have a good week.
read moreMany thanks Sharon. Heartbreaking scenes coming out of this dreadful conflict. Have a good week.

Chris

[JE Falcon]

They thought Hitler was great too. Their hero against the world :( --- This sadness takes poetic voices and weeps through its words.

[Chris Shaw]

Such sadness, they have no idea what is being done in their name. The propaganda machine in full flow. Yes, history repeats itself and the lessons have not been learned. Thanks Falcon.

Chris

[JE Falcon]

The sad part is that when a society rebels against a long-standing dictatorship they quite often place another dictator in the same position, with a different title.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly that may well be the case :(
Sort of out of the frying pan and into the fire.

[William Michael Reeves]

The images of the dead, the orphaned, the scared children. Almost want to believe world war III is necessary and like the second, what we need. They seem to be losing though, so a shred of hope exists that we won't have to write poems about it.

[Chris Shaw]

I certainly hope we don't have escalation and stepping in would do that. It's not an easy situation to solve is it, a small country versus a bullying might. Thanks Bill for sharing your thoughts.

Chris

[duff]

Coming from a family background where most of us have served in the military and knowing first hand of the atrocities of war this gave me goosebumps Chris. So many sides lose. How can anyone win or believe they can? There are no winners. Your visuals are a dagger that have to be constantly illuminated for the world to see. Always a pleasure to read your work.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you duff for your thoughtful response. There are no winners in war, only losers, you are spot on there. Your family background knows that first hand.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

History repeats itself. Dictators acting with a free reign, with impunity, causing untold suffering and misery on others especially vulnerable children. I wish man never invented nuclear weapons and many others. Diplomacy failed sadly when there is no compromise.
Raise your wonderful voice Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Sami. You are so right, history repeats itself and we don't take heed of the lessons. The suffering has no limit and it is unbearable to watch from the sidelines, but it is important to do so. We need to know what is going on and civilians are now targets. I always appreciate your wisdom.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

All true and well said. We can't turn a blind eye as you marvelously state. You are welcome Chris.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the temperature over there is beyond boiling...there is a monster lose...and I saw on line today that
is approval rating over there in Russia has skyrocketed....those people rating him must have guns to their heads.
this is vicious reality, Chris...
vicious.

[Chris Shaw]

They have guns to their heads and all news is censored and the propaganda machine is in full s**t flow. They do not know what is happening. Same as most Germans had no idea about the gas chambers. Young Russians are more savvy because they do have access to platforms out of Russia, but their parents and grandparents have been sucked in to a Dictator's lair and are oblivious to what is being done in their name. Must be wrecking family life as well. Hope the sanctions bite real hard.

Chris