This poem is about a child’s dream destroyed by war. Also i got my first rejection from a literary magazine so i’m kind of somber but oh well!


Paper planes

Paper planes soaring through a burning sky
Flying so fast they make the wind cry
But they’ve got hope!
Playing with the other kids to cope.

The tall angry men come again
Not a matter of if but a matter of when
The paper planes falter as the heat,
makes them curl and fall towards the melting street.

The safe zones slowly empty out
As angry people forget what they’re fighting about
Scared kids get a knife shoved in their hand
And eventually get sent out to “protect their land”.

The Paper planes crash, stopping their trip
before turning to ash with a sickening rip
And that unprepared child quickly loses his life
His tiny hand still clutching that knife.



Poetry by Artorius
Read 7 times
Written on 2026-09-09 at 01:21

Tags Child  Soldier  Innocence 

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jim The PoetBay support member heart!
Your somber mood is understandable, it's part of the experience, keep submitting. It's a matter of finding the right journal at the right time.

I like this poem for the clear images and clear message.
2026-09-09