After studying the text Child Warriors, 2nde4 students were asked to write poems starting with "I am a child , let me be a child"... Here is what they wrote :
THIBAULT
Child Wish
I am a child,
Let me be a child...
Because I want to have fun
Without holding a gun,
I want happiness in my life
To no longer see the knife,
I want to go to school
Because this world is wonderful,
I want to eat my fill
Because I’m afraid of being ill,
My life could be funny
If I could see my family
People could stop my S-O-S
If they really want me to live in cheerfulness...
I am not a soldier,
I am not a killer,
I love my father,
I hope we will live together"
BENJAMIN
Escape my mind...
I am a child,
Let me be a child
,
Let me play with my sky ,
Let me be someone, I want to try,
don’t leave me alone,
I want a real home,
All my sadness , my loneliness,
are driving me mad,
Oh I’m so sad,
Please give me a rest,
Let me smile, I don’t want to die,
I’m fed up, I want a break,
Please dry my tears,
And help me stop my fears,
French children play on the ground,
English children laugh on the playground,
Why couldn’t I ? Like them , Like you,
Have fun, and reach my sun,
People have spoilt my life,
People have walked on my rights,
I want to be like you,
Leave my wild life,
And find liberty too,
Escape This cruel world of mine,
I want my past to end,
And my future to begin,
I want to live my dreams,
Not dream my life,
I am a child
So let me be a child.
ANNE-CHARLOTTE
I am a child
Let me be a child
I want to laugh at life
Let me jump in puddles
Me and my teddy bear,
we want to eat sweets and ice cream
Spare me this cup of sorrow
I’m crazy about having adventures with my tricycle
Please let me discover life
Let me discover the smell of flowers
Let me discover the feel of sunshine on my skin
Let me hear the birds singing
Please, I’m a child
Let me be a child
JULIEN et JULIEN
I am a child
Let me be a child
Who goes to school to learn, like a child
Who plays and has fun, like a child
Who eats his fill, like a child
Who eats in a restaurant, like a child
Who listens to music and watches TV, like a child
Who lives in a warm family, like a child
Who has a rest, like a child
Who has a happy childhood, like a child
Who has freedom, like a child.
ALINE
I am a child
Let me be a child
Let me have my childhood
I would like to be Robin Hood
I don’t go to school
But I would like to be joyful
You live with your family
And me, my life isn’t funny
I dream of war
And you, never sad you are
I would like to have a wife
Let me live my life"
ANNA et DEBORAH
I am a child, let me be a child,
Stop the massacre ! Stop !
Look at our faces filled with hatred.
I’m a child but I’m forced to kill.
Let me play, laugh, grow up and have a dream.
But I see only blood and tears.
And you say : "Poor child" but nobody helps me.
When my commanders say "Shoot, run and don’t turn around",
I shoot because I’m under these orders.
My parents are dead, but who cries for them ?
I’d be free to choose like everybody,
Between life and death.
I choose life because I’m a child
And let me be a child.
AURELIEN
PIERRE
MAXIME
I am a child... let me be a child,
All the time, I must fight and kill other children...
But I dream every night to play with them and have a happy life...
I am a child... let me be a child,
All the time, I think about my family...
But they’re dead, weapons have replaced them...
I am a child... let me be a child,
All the time, I think about childhood...
But the army isn’t a nursery...
I am a child... let me be a child,
Tell me who I am !!
BERTRAND et ALEXIS
I am a child,
Let me be a child,
I fight for a war,
I don’t know the reason,
I want to go back in a car,
But you know what I have done,
I’ve forgotten my soul,
And my heart is broken,
I’ve no future anyway,
But listen to what I say :
I’m a child, let me be a child !
Today I walk alone,
I’m going back home,
I want to speak louder,
To say : now I’m over,
I feel lonely,
Maybe it’s necessary,
Before it is the end,
Be all ears and listen,
I’m a child,
Let me be a child !!!
CHARLINE et LUDOVIC
I am a child
Let me be a child
I don’t have a family to love me
Just commanders to give orders to me
Please let me dream for a few minutes
My life could have been so nice
I didn’t want to grow up so fast
But some adults said I must fight
I never played like other children
And was never allowed to have fun
Please let me discover myself
My life isn’t the one of a child
I don’t know how to explain...
EDOUARD et LEA
I am a child
Let me be a child
I am weak
I want to flee
I am in strong anger !
I must be stronger !
When we are prisoners,
We are in danger !
I want to be noisy !
To be in safety
I never want to be silent
I want to live with my family
And be with my parents !
Study, eat candies !
At work, when I see the landscape,
I want to escape !
In the outback
To have a flashback
ELEONORE
When I am older
I would like to dream
Let me dream
I would like to laugh, play and sing
Let me sing
I would like to eat sweets and ice cream
Let me eat my fill
I want to discover life like a child
Let me live
I want to be innocent and ignorant
Let me be a child
I want to have a childhood
Where my best friend will be Flogy my frog
Let me imagine
I never want to be sad
Let me be happy
When I am older
I want to be a child
Let me be a child
SERREAU - BERTHOUMIEUX
I am a child
Let me be a child
Play in the meadow
Eat a lot of potatoes
Watch TV
And live happily,
Play videogames
Go out with my friends.
I want to go to school to learn
Like all the other children
I want to become an adult
Like all the other adults
JULIE - KLERVI
I am a child
Let me be a child
Let me play with my friends
Let me laugh, let me smile
Let me grow up without fear
Let me have the time to dream
To have a happy and marvellous life
Let me have innocence in my childhood
Discover life little by little
Without being afraid of growing up
I am a child
Let me be a child
CHLOE et LOUISE
I am a child,
Let me be a child.
Since the age of thirteen,
I couldn’t blossom,
I leave my life,
To kill with a riffle,
I don’t have hobbies,
I never eat candies,
I don’t have a happy family,
I don’t have any liberty.
I would like to walk in the wood,
Let me enjoy my childhood,
I’m a child,
Don’t forget.
MAXIME et PAULINE
I am a child
Let me be a child
Please ! Please ! Help me !
I want to be happy !
I’m not a warrior
But I want to live a life
Without riffles
I don’t want to spoil my childhood
Let me go to school
I want to be re-born
And discover freedom
I am ill-treated
Hopeless and defenceless
Let me be a child
THOMAS
I am a child
Let me be a child
Anything in this world
For me is wild
Let me be a child
To see the good side of life
Let me leave in peace
To discover what I didn’t know