Prayer Of A Child

(Who Is A Victim Of Landmines)

It was not so long ago,That I went to schoolWith my friends,Played from dawn to duskWith my brothers and sisters, Helped my father To work his fieldsOr ran errands, for my mother.It seemed like yesterdayI made that kite (My pride and joy)I ran through the meadowTrying to fly it. And BANG!It still returns to haunt me. When I woke upThe world was blurred to me.Then little by little, My mothers’ face, tear-strained, My fathers’, hopeless,My brothers’ and sisters’, aghast and sad,My friends’, horror-stricken.No explanation was neededI knew, when I couldn’t find my legs.Please God! Take awayThese equipmentFashioned in the devils’ workshopCalled landmines.Don’t put a full-stop To anyone’s lifeLike mine. Amen.