A "Cool" War

"Oh, cool," my son said,

 When he saw the cover of the next book

 We were going to sell in our store.

 " What an awesome picture!"

The picture was of a boy of eleven or twelve

 Carrying a very large gun over his shoulder .

His response saddened and scarred me.

(How could the child I have so carefully protected

 for so many years think this is cool?)

Children shouldn't have to carry,

Let alone use weapons like that, and

They shouldn't be expected to.

So I decided he should read the book,

with all the violence, and bad parts included

so my son can see what war is really like.

And stop thinking it so "COOL".

Already, we've strated, I've read some passages to him,

He told me were "very uncool" and "not right" and "not fair".

My hope is that by reading the rest of the book himself

He will realize just how serious a issue this is.

For children touched by real violence no longer think it "cool"

And they never will again.

But nothing in this world could force me to wish violence

(especially the voilence described in this book)

On any person of any age, but especially children.

This book is a great begining,

bringing awareness to so many who were unaware

of the plight of the child soldiers all over the world.

Let's make it a great begining...let's get involved.

They are out there and they need our help.