it was noon

elections were over

the looser sent his goons

peace was also over

it wasn’t even our country

but John was there for peacekeeping

he was just a lad

trying to accomplish a dream.

mama mama,

I will be back to you soon

This last trip mama

and grandsons I will give you too

it was over now

the battlefield filled with unfulfilled dreams and promises

locked up and sealed,

no more grandsons

no more son either

just a cry

the cry of a soldier’s mother

Winniefred F. Gbemuotor