The Red Jacket (inspired by a true story)
58
During a time of woe,
There once was a girl.
This child walked the streets each day,
A red jacket holding the frigid air at bay.
She carried a small container for her mother,
A woman starving while nursing her brother.
The girl always smiled as I watched her step forward.
Her eyes shining bright and filled with light.
Her years were so few, and her skin so pale.
Yet her courage inspired us all as she
Marched past the Nazi’s incoming hale.
She never missed my truck,
And no one bared her way.
A child with the face of our nation,
Who walked a dangerous route each day,
To fetch bread for her mother and a babe.
There once was a girl,
we cried the day she failed to appear.
Her red jacket so dirty,
no protection from the cold.
A red jacket and pail so frail.
There once was a girl.
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Upon seeing this request I thought of a story I once read about a brave little girl in Leningrad during the nearly three year siege of that city. One point five million men, women and children died during the siege, most of whom were killed by starvation. Debate continues today as to who were the chief perpetrators of this crime against the human race, but no one can deny the facts that War and men who engage in it to gain power are the real criminals. This is a truly sad, yet inspiring story. Sad because a beautiful and brave little girl was forced to endure such hardship, inspiring because even in the darkest times, a child can show us that there is still innocence and good in the world. I can think of no greater reason to wish for peace, and to hope that no child anywhere is forced to endure what young Tanya endured.
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Comments
I love this trooper. Sometimes innocence is bigger than fear or hate or war. It's tragic in its silence. And this poem reminds me of that little girl in red in the movie Schindler's List whose death made me cry a river.
I agree Chris. That scene was heart wretching, I still think of it often and have in situations that I have endured overseas in Yugoslavia, and Iraq. War is never the answer, and will never be the answer to anything.
War is cold, even in hot climates Randy, thanks for stopping by. )
Very poignant and heartbreaking. A reality which we can hope to change for all our children. Great Hub. :)
A child. The most perfect symbol in our cries for peace. Thank you for adding this hub to the project.
Any one else interested in joining "Hubs accross the world unite for peace" please follow this link
You're welcome Paper Moon. Thank you for the kind words.
Trooper22,
This poem exepmlifies the true reasons for peace.I read this poem three times and I suspect I'll be back again for inspiration.Thank you for this hub for peace.
this brought on the tears, trooper22 - the fraility of life and particularity that of children should be our prime mover for world peace, the babies in the war torn countries all over our world today should just not be! thanks for your beautiful poem ...cheers
Thank you AJcor, and TMB. Thank you both for the words and encouragement. There is no greater reason for peace than for the sake of the children that all people hold sacred. They are the ones that truely suffer the follys of man.
This was beautiful! Reminded me of Schindler's list and the black and white shot of the little girl in the pink coat going thru the town.. Then the shot of her coat laying in a pile of cast off clothes. Heart wrenching. thank you!
Thank you Candie. I wrote this poem from the first person because I think it adds power. Needless to say I was not the man on the truck, but as I read the story of Tanya many years ago, I empathized with the man who wrote it. I have seen many children around the world that have been affected by war, most recently those that now live in Iraq. Tanya's story has been emblazened on my mind by all of the faces of innocent children that I have seen over the years. No one can forget the moving powerful diary of Ann Frank, but few hear of the equally powerful and moving diary of Tanya Savicheva.
Trooper..so so very poignant.Why do people create so much hardship for fellow beings?Wars are man made tragedies and hardships .Cannot man created sufferings be avoided? Wars are all about greed in power crazy people for more power.
I can not possibly agree with you more Iyla. Unfortunately the world is not a perfect place, and there will always be powerful people willing to destroy to ensure that power.
today i was watch Schlinder List on You Tube,and that's make me sad......and i was agree with Cris A that this poem reminds me of that little girl in red in the movie Schindler's List
Trooper22, I just read your story...it touched my heart.
Keep writing....it is the children in this nation that suffer the most. And it is the children of this nation who are following Christ that will lead the rest of us.
Remember that children are a reward. The little girls life
will be remembered through your writing.
I really liked it alot.
Randy Behavior says:
7 months ago
O.K. that gave me chills.