THE LOST BOYS (from the 1990's) LEST WE FORGET

[Sue Littleton]

THE LOST BOYS
(In the 90’s) Lest we forget

The photo-article in Life Magazine
refers to hem as “The Lost Boys,”
victims of the African Genocide;
a handful of brothers, cousins, friends, fellow-villagers
fleeing before the ravaging army of uniformed compatriots.
Their parents slaughtered, sisters dragged away
into concubinage or slavery,
the boys are pursued ruthlessly by victorious tribal soldiers.

Other predators, not so political,
also scenting vulnerable prey,
follow close on their heels;
lions, hyenas, other cold-eyed flesh eaters
drag down stragglers: the youngest, the weakest.
At the river’s edge a crocodile seizes a thirsty child
as he kneels to drink from the sluggish water.

Flying from horror to horror,
eating green mangos, grass, seeds, insect larvae,
they run desperately, clinging to each other—
the seven-year-old with the youngster of fifteen,
without whom
the younger child’s chance for survival
would be nonexistent.

At a halt in the jungle the boys
prepare a makeshift schoolroom
where an older boy takes the time
to give the other children a brief English lesson
so that someday, should they survive,
they may better defend themselves against the cruelty
of an adult world determined
to destroy them utterly.
Their dreams hostage to grim reality,
hunger their bedfellow,
Death their merciless companion,
they persevere, their frail bodies
fueled by heartbreaking, hopeless valor.

Today there remain only a few fragile bones
lying scattered in the brush;
and yet, their magnificent courage lives on
in a handful of forgotten photographs
as they run, forever run, from destruction
toward oblivion.

[Doreen Peri]

Hard-hitting ... such vivid descriptions... fine writing, Sue.

Do you write short stories or essays? If so, would love to read some. This particular form has a prosaic style that makes me want to read prose written by you, as well as poetry.




I was Wendy in a different life. Oh but those Lost Boys are different than these Lost Boys.

[SadLuckDame]

This has a lot of depth, very true to life on survival, a frightening case and well writ.

[whimsicaldeb]

Moving and exceptionally poignant. Fitting. And yes, let's not forget. Made me want to go back and see it again, the Life mag article and photo, but I couldn't find it. I did find this article though, from 2005: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/08/25/lost_boys

[Sue Littleton]

Doreen, I used to write short stories, years ago. They have all been lost... but thank you! ♥♥♥

Whimsi, thank you for finding the link -- and for your comments. ♥♥♥

Sadluck, your comments appreciated. It is one of my saddest poems, and believe me, I have a few! ♥♥♥

[mnaz]

thanks Sue. threw me for a loop (to state the obvious). I think all of us are aware of these recurring tragedies by now. almost seems if you don't have a bullet in your gun, or a sad poem by now then you're barely breathing this air

[saw]

sobering stuff sue, there are estimates that three quarters of the warring armies contain combat ready children that may work for the government or the rebels, but in either case have had the childhood stolen ....and this doesn't include all the runaways whose numbers may be incalculable......this poem brings awareness, that there are many models of living, and we should not take our circumstances for granted........strong work.......

[Sue Littleton]

Thank you, saw and mnaz, for your comments. I have a credo as a poet I am going to post now, "The Poet of the Crystal Lute." We must all be Lute Poets ... and poets of joy as well. One does not preclude the other.
Sue♥♥♥