What Happened
By Ali, age 16, North Carolina
Wars are waged by older men
In battle rooms in countries apart,
Who call for greater firepower
And troops for the combat chart.
While out among the shattered flesh
The dreams of all have turned gray,
So young and determined their faces were
Till on the battlefield they lay.
Unable to overcome their pride
The overseers cast their vote,
For this or that or something else
As the thunder of war sounds its note.
Wherever wars are won or lost
The soldiers fall like toys,
Down through history it remains the same
Most who pass are hardly more than boys.
