Once cherished, angelic human offspring,
now roam cluttered streets and bombed-out
buildings, like stray dogs searching nothingness.
Today, they have become worthless collateral
damages of arm conflict; mangled, alive, dying
or dead, they are misery’s children of war.
Imperialism, skewed nationalism, and militarism,
have become the current terms of endearment
replacing those of humanism, love, and world peace.
What a pity it is, that as we watch plastic faces of fear,
the only clear and present danger within our midst,
is the paralyzing apathy that has destroyed our concerns.
If there is the hope of a tree, that if it is destroyed,
it will sprout again, what testament of hope can be given
to the starving eyes of children staring with pleading mercy?