Dreams In Times Of War, A Poem For The Children Of Gaza

His dreams used to be quiet things

Meaning he slept through them

No special memory of what transpired

But he was young

What did he dream of at 4 or 5 or 6 years old

But that was before

Before the fighting

Before fleeing their home

Four times in three months

Seems the troops always knew where to find them

What does one dream of when at age 7

Without the toys his daddy gave him

Without the coloring books he loved to draw in

Without his dog to sleep beside him and protect him

He’s still afraid of the dark

And now of the daytime too.

Author's Note

I realize it's perhaps not the best poem on Gaza,and not my best work, but I wanted to post it to show my solidarity.

Reviews

[Aventicus]

Such was, is, and shall forever be the fate of many-a-child during wartime. It is truly a saddening thing.

[daninstockholm]

yes, it is. Here in Sweden, we are struggling with the side-effects of war, in the refugees that are flooding to what they hope will be a life of peace. Sadly, it's off to a difficult start as the ultra-right nationalists are fighting it. Thank you for your kind words!

[katie]

I can feel the fear of death and capture and lack of a true home. Very well written! Great piece!

[daninstockholm]

Thank you so much, Katie,, I truly appreciate it!

[Kelly Scheppers]

I really like the palpable feeling of your lines, Dan. Touches the heartstrings....especially your ending!

[daninstockholm]

Thank you, Kelly, very much!! I wanted to write on this topic, it's one that I feel very deeply about, but not in the way that was to overly obvious, i wanted to make the reader think of the people and their individual suffering more than the war it's self. I appreciate your kind words very much!!

[Philip Muls]

Hi Dan, it surely goes straight to the heart of the matter. Children are afraid now also in the light of day because of the constant fighting. They need to flee and cannot find the security they need to grow up as confident people.

Well done.

[daninstockholm]

Thanks, Philip!! LIke i said when I responded to Kelly, it did want to show the human side of the conflict. It makes it more immediate, more palpable, in my humble opinion. I appreciate your review very much!!

[...]

Experience of war is realy very hell experience. Special for children. How we stop war when we are full of hate and prejudice. You get this emotions inside your poem. Emotions of child inside of war. It s very humannistic piece . Thank you for that.

[daninstockholm]

Marketa,, thank you so much. I apologize for taking so long to respond to your kind words.