• Please Listen by Ashton Taylor Scruggs in February 2005 (10 years old)

    Please listen to what I have to say
    It might make a difference some day
    There is something you can’t deny
    Everything I say is not a lie

    Many soldiers in Iraq
    Will probably be coming back
    But those that do stay
    Will find that’s where they will lay

    As you can see
    This is not the way it should be
    Because we are doing it this way
    We will soon pay

    There’s not always bad over there
    Some people have love that they share
    Badness is what you might hear or see
    But that’s not what always turns out to be

    You see, there are children there
    Who really need a lot of care
    The government is doing what they can do
    The citizens can help out too

    We can donate supplies to schools
    Also fix up buildings with lots of tools
    We can give children what almost any kid enjoys
    Such as food and toys

    The grown ups need help too
    So here are a few things we can do
    We can give them shelter and food
    So they can have a more positive mood

    There is so much more to say
    So please sit down and stay
    I want you to hear the rest
    This part just might be the best

    There aren’t problems only over there
    There are problems everywhere
    Such as in the U.S.A.
    Not everybody is having a good day

    You will soon find
    There are loved ones left behind
    Those loved ones pray every night
    That their loved one will come back into their sight

    I am going through this stuff
    It is really rough
    But I believe I will get through
    I believe you can too

    I hope this poem inspires you
    To make a difference too
    I feel like it’s my obligation
    To tell this to the population

    All people should care
    Because this might be their affair
    We should help out too
    Because that’s what we’d like them to do

    There’s one last thing to do
    This thing involves you
    People need to hear the word
    Oh, it must be heard

    To spread the word, here’s what you do
    You tell your family and friends too
    Soon the word will start to spread
    But the rest lies ahead

    That’s all I will tell you
    Because you know what to do
    So, now be on your way
    And remember what I had to say