Frightened children weep,
stolen from their sleep.
A herd of muted sheep,
meager is their keep.
Soldiers torment, rape and beat,
brutal sport forced to compete.
Spirits darkened with defeat,
their corruption is complete.
Their corruption is complete.
Murder now their chore
in Joseph Kony's war.
Countless is the score
lives ruined by "the lord".
Broken to it's core,
Uganda cries "no more"!
Uganda cries "no more"!
Seeking refuge from the night,
many children take to flight.
Crowd wherever they'll feel safe,
Hide until the morning breaks.
Uganda mourns her children lost.
Count the cost.
Please count the cost.
Author notes
Uganda's costly plight with the "Lord's Resistance Army".
Photo: "A Child with Kitten Called Kalashnikov"
In a list
A contest entry
- PIF 15/100 by Laura Lamarca.
650 points, ended September 29, 2007, 10 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - All Time Favorite! by Mezclita.
600 points, ended October 13, 2007, 40 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - One Whole Year by Death of the Author.
600 points, ended November 13, 2007, 49 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - One Whole Year: Collection Point C by Death of the Author.
600 points, ended November 14, 2007, 7 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Speak out! by Luna Argintie.
930 points, ended September 9, 2008, 205 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - In A World of War( for older teens-adults) for the gore picture by Cari Cullen.
300 points, ended December 2, 2007, 8 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - "Human rights - and wrongs" by Vera Rich.
700 points, ended December 19, 2008, 21 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - # 171 For Winklings and all AP friends: One of 2 issues! by Lyndon.
1750 points, ended April 21, 13 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What do you think?
Comments
1 - 33 of 33
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No one could disagree with your passionate concern!
You have used monorhyme for your stanzas and a refrain mechanism to good effect and without detracting from the substance of your poem.
Thank you dear poet.
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I applaud the sentiments expressed in the poem, while agreeing that some of the rhymes work better than others. I like the idea of a repeated refrain, and monorhyme is a good technique, though there are occasions here where the urge to find a rhyme, or invert words to make the rhyme, has interrupted the flow of the poem. But it is good to see a structured poem with a strong theme.
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Thank you for entering this in the "Human Rights - and Wrongs" competition. The subject is a difficult one - but you have managed to deal with it, in the main, without sentimentality. (Though it would to my mind have been better without the illustration and note). There are a few awkwardnesses of phrasing, and some of the "rhymes" do not really work - as far as Anglophone phonetics are concerned, though they would be considered excellent rhymes in other traditions. In general, though - a fine effort.
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Immensely powerful and neccessary writing, fully complementing the horror captured in the magnificent photograph (that should be titled" A Child with Kitten Called Kalashnikov"). Words such as yours need to be in people's faces, as truly the human needs to be put back into humanity. Congrats on this great statement.
Love & peace, Kezz
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Thank you for your generous comment, and the name of the photograph
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Noble sentiment, beautiful words. Congratulations on your awards.
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Thanks.
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Congratulations on all the awards so far, well deserved! This is great. Best of luck to you in the contest! x
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I see you have yourself an award winner and I agree. The year 2007 isn’t civilized everywhere. That we would have that going on in this day and time, just doesn’t seem right. Good write.
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excellent~
Power and very thought provoking as well
Love the use of your repetion as well
Congrats on the tropy can see why you got it...
I just posted a new one hope you drop by
Hugs
Susan~~~
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Wonderful
Such an emotional write, wonderfully put. Time it was all ended, once and for all! Good luck -
Isn't this the true cost of such a war
the loss of it's future through the corruption of its own innocents
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I love the first 2 lines, really touching poem
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Very good I change the picture.butstill thanks you for caring for the natioons that we cant see than you soo much this means everthing to me
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Very beautiful entry. I really loved your use of repetition, especially:
"Count the cost.
Please count the cost."
Thank you for entering. -
A very powerful and emotional poem which shows a great depth of compassion and caring in speaking out for those with no voice. Best of luck in the contest with this very touching poem.
D.M.
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beautifully heartbreaking this wa sa touching sad piece i love the first two lines they really drag you in
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Makes me wish for riches untold and power unlimited, to help these precious ones in Uganda. Very kind of and thoughtful of you to bring this out as a reminder of how blessed we really are!
GBY
SilverButterfly
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WOW! This is very powerful and deep. Such a very sad reality of our world today, which we need to take a stand upon and stop.
Amazing...mine is entered under yours and written about the same thing, just very different.
Wonderful write of awareness.
Best to you!
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A very powerful piece and one that should be read by as many people as possible to raise awareness of this situation. The repetition is very effective, enhancing the rhyme and keeping the flow. Congrats on the trophies already. Thanks for entering my contest and good luck
Take care x -
An excellent piece - loved the repetition it gave impact. I am glad I was able to stop by and read. Well done on the trophies - God bless
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Congratulations On Your Trophies!
They were well deserved! It makes me want to go over there & somehow stop this war you talk about. Thank you for sharing, Mom!
~SunfloweRose
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emotional~
This was so emotional and heartbreaking....
It bought tears to my eyes as I read this one...
So very sad...
One day the soliders will have to answer to their actions...and the outcome won't be pretty....
Thank you for penning this emotional topic
And congrats on the trophy it was well deserved
Hugs
Susan~~~
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I agree with you the cost of war is too hight. Our children suffer. It does not matter the side they are on they are still children. It broke my heart to read this. Thank you for making this world a better place by writing about the wrongs of our society. Thank you.
Love b -
How terrible... thank you for the message...
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This is beautifully done. a wonderfully flowing poem with a hard hitting message entwined within. I love the repetition here. Great job on grabbing the Bronze...Scott
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Thanks, Scott, for the comment and clappies
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Unthinkable
Thought it may be, that this can happen is the truth of this day and age. How can we let our children suffer so! It kills me to hear of such things. I just want to go over there and save all those children. Very well written Freed. I am glad I stopped by to read.
God Bless
Tammy -
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I first read about this in a well known and thoughtful Christian Magazine, then on the internet. I'm afraid it is true, Little Feather.
Thank you for your comment. May God bless you, too.
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"the cost"!
I am not a cat, but curiousity got the better of me with your title. I love it when I find an unexpected gem. I belong to a group called "Erase the Hate" and this topic suits the group's interests well. I will refer a friend who comes to mind here.
The 'cut' of your lines suits this poem very well and delivers the message in a manner which focuses the reader's attention and involvement. I am so glad for my curiousity. Beyond the words, your presentation is excellent in background and image. Jadon
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Thank you so much for your comment and applause!
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The monorhyme and repetition of certain lines works well to give more power to an already strong piece. I had to read this twice to fully appreciate its content...always a good thing
Thank you for entering this contest, good luck in the judging. La x 
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Thank you for your comment and applause, Laura.
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