Sand Box

Sand Box
(for Tony)

The scene is the same

Only the faces change

But the innocent are not protected

They are little boys sitting in tanks,

Pointing their guns at the enemy

"Bang, you're dead!"

They are gathered at mess or prayer

Or at rest, little boys playing

In front of the camera, compelling

Those at home to believe

They are fine and happy and, well...

So I believe—I must believe when I see

Those sweet little-boy faces

Smiling at me from thousands

Of miles away, playing in the sand

Of Fallujah and Marja, Kabul and Kandahar

Places that sound like made up little-boy names

Rather than killing fields

(pictures published with permission)