Lost Playgrounds
How vulnerable is this world,
Where an innocent field becomes a death-trap?
Children who once played without a thought,
Now rummage for metal they can sell as scrap.
And the destruction lies even deeper,
Than that visible bomb crater;
For the "Secret War"’s over but is still being fought,
Today, more than thirty years later.
Unexploded ordnance in abundance,
Scattering the land,
Steeling the fields from the farmers,
Taking food from the hand.
So here's the truth about Laos:
It's the most heavily bombed country on earth,
A country where the people are still smiling,
Despite what lies under the turf.
The horrors of war,
Have long been uncovered.
But do enough people know,
How much these ones have suffered?
To those who attacked,
The message is short:
It's time to pick up the bill,
For all the battles you fought.
So put your money where your mouth is,
Laos needs your aid,
To stop children from whispering,
"I can't play … I'm too afraid."
