My daughter wrote this poem. It is about one of her karate teachers. The term Deshi refers to him. He is 19 and is in Iraq. She is 13.

It's different now

I'm watching the news.
I used to find it boring,
who'll win or who'll lose.
It's different now.

I'm reading the Globe.
I used to skip to the funnies
for them I'd mindlessly probe.
It's different now.

I'm making a wish..
I used to want a toy,
or a snail for our fish.
It's different now.

I'm reading about Iraq.
I used to find it redundant.
But I want Deshi back.
It's different now.

Every casualty scares me.
Each attack makes me sad.
Is that hurt one Deshi?
It's different now.

By Gammiejoan on Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - 08:37 pm:

It's a very touching poem, Colette. Your dd definitely has a lot of potential as a poet and/or writer!

By Colette on Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - 09:34 pm:

Thanks, it made me cry but I am overly sensitive right now.. I didn't know of such turmoil in the world at 13. Everything is so different now and it makes me so sad that our children have to be affected by this.

By Coopaveryben on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - 10:24 am:

Wow, she did a great job!