Poem: 'Little Children' by M Teresa Clayton

'Little Children'

By M Teresa Clayton

Little Children of the Stars and the Moon

Death has claimed your souls too soon

The Elders say "they are a casualty"

I say "innocence lost in perpetuity"

Mother's carry their lifeless babes, and they cry

Screaming in mortal pain the question, why?

The Elders say "we must win the fight"

I say "men no longer know wrong from right"

The babes of war lie broken upon the ground

Justice here is lost; their voices will not make a sound

The Elders believe they have silenced the threat

I believe they have not heard their voices yet

Your father's prayer knows not the soul it saves

Let them hear the truth from your shallow graves

Elders disregard the rules and their godly laws

I believe war is the god that spoils their cause

Little hands wrapped tightly around the truth

Obliterated before the promises of your youth

Elders put down your guns and open your eyes

I say "your wars are based on nothing but lies"

Nothing but the stories passed through antiquity

Repeated through generations of your ambiguity

Now the streets are silent, the stories they'd tell

I say "you fought for heaven and won your hell"

Today the other side bombed your city and won

Tomorrow may be yours with a new risen sun

Prepare your souls before the hour is too late

I say "the victor of this war is known as hate."

Come little children, of the Moon and the Stars

There is no place for you among men and their wars

The Elders say "wipe their kind off the Earth"

I say "we all inherit our place here at birth."

I have come to wash the blood off the ground

Collect the innocent if they can be found

Pull them into my arms, keep them safe and warm

Guard them from those who would cause them harm

Mother's take your children by the hand

Hurry; lead them out of this malevolent land

Before they lie down with the vile and profane

And become sullied here among the wicked and insane

I will watch from the gates of Eden for your return

Let the immorality of mankind and their cities burn

When all men learn to revere and venerate the Earth

Then I will sanctify the ground and return you to the lands of your birth

Lo now, you who have ears that listen and comprehend

The corruption of your own temple has left you condemned

Lay down your weapons, pound your chests and repent

Before the only sound you hear is your own agonizing lament