VIENS PETIT!

The poem deals with child abuse in the Central African Republic by French/UN forces.

A pale blue flag hangs limp, mirroring
It's effectivity, it's questionable mandate.
Children, half-crazed from hunger who
Couldn't give a damn for
The battle-hymn sung
Or the Marseillaise.
High hopes and aspirations falter,
Carried along through slim expectation,
To wither and slide down some shallow
Embankment and further muddy
A torpid flowing Oubangui.
What point is there to effect a peace
On truculent, warring factions
When it's harbinger demands
No release from poverty and vice:
No apparent action -- just continue,
Go and sacrifice your young as
Hoarse, carnal whispers play out
This masquerade -- to lure and ensnare
The ravished enfant, the destitute.
"Viens petit, viens!"
Yes, recoil in horror --
Refute this if you are able:
See what they've gone and
Done to our light blue berets!
"A bas ces soldats de la France.
Dieu, au secours les pauvres --
Vive l'innocence!"

Raymond Pratt 06/2015