by Sarah Edwards
They say
you died for something noble
flag
cause
defense
revolution
greater good
They say
you died for something gained.
ground
territory
respect
equality
justice
But if you are a child…
they say
this time you died for nothing
except my right to kill you
before you learn nobility and gain,
before you get a chance to choose
what is worth dying for
Rev. Sarah Edwards is a retired clergyperson in the United Church of Christ. She is active in the North Carolina Poetry Society, is a student of poetry at Duke University and the poetry of life.