The Mountain Laurel
The Journal of Mountain Life

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Toy Soldier

By C. David Hay © 1990

An Excerpt from the book, "Wings of the Mind."

Issue: March, 1990

Little toy soldiers with little toy guns,
All formed in rank and file;
Many a war they fought and won
For the shine of a little boy's smile.

Now the cannon sit tarnished with age,
The soldiers stand frozen in stare,
Awaiting the touch of tiny hands
That loved and placed them there.

But little men grow up, alas
To march in wars of their own,
And the pain they feel and the deaths they die
Toy soldiers have never known.

Little toy soldiers with little toy guns,
Wearing dust on helmets and pack,
How sad your wait will be in vain -
Your Captain won't be back.

Read the Book Review of C. David Hay's latest book, "Wings of the Mind."