Toy Soldiers

[Written for the Toy Soldiers Campaign and sent to President Clinton

with small green army men ~ July 1999]

Dear Sir:

With no disrespect intended

we gift you with these toys

representing our husbands,

daughters, wives and boys.

Each one represents a life

each one has a story ~

they only want to do their best,

they don't seek any glory.

They are not pieces on a board;

they bleed, they hurt, they die.

We think about these "little" things

each time we say goodbye.

They can't be moved around the world

as if they're not for real...

if a chess piece were your daughter

you'd know just how we feel.

We wait at home and wonder,

we worry and we pray.

Please think about our loved ones

when you receive these toys today.