Changing Visions of Children

by Tien Avielle
January 27, 2003

I remember when -
a box could be a train or rocket ship -
taking you to great destinations,
not the shelter where you sleep
on some filthy street.

I remember when -
pop bottles were cashed in for candy and ice cream treats,
not refilled and ignited and thrown
in the streets.

I remember when -
cars were a milestone for coming of age,
not the means to blow people away.

I remember when -
the worst that could happen was chicken-pox itch,
not smallpox inflicted by some terrorist.

I remember when -
airplanes inspired you to fly like a bird and explore,
not weapons to settle some terrorist's score.

I remember when -
we ran against the wind to launch kites,
not to outpace deadly gas.

This is not the world you deserve !

I want you to be free to run through fields of flowers and dance in the rain!
But you must skirt around landmines and
scatter away from shrapnel nowdays!

I want you to look up to the sky and
count the stars, not the scuds!

I want you to see mythical beasts in the clouds, not lethal mushrooms !

I want you to build mountains of snow,
not of ashes and bones.

The visions of children have changed.