Child-soldier children nFrom the soldier rebellion, nThese children rebel again. nnWaiting for airships that never arrive, nWith crosses on suitcases, novelty knives, nThey aimlessly wander the beach all that day. nEventually most of them shuffled away.nnA matchbox bears my picture. nIt details the reward for my capture. n“Not one person here has helped me.”nReads the caption under my picture, see? nnThe young they are, the more fearless! nBut they were betrayed by merchants who had offered them seven ships.n“We were maimed, tortured and kidnapped. nThey cut off our ears, limbs and lips.” nnOh my dears, when they hear the news nThat’s been written in tears, nThey will know there’s no way to excuse nThe lies that were used to force them to fight.nnThen into their rag tag clothing nAn officer sews. nHe says, “This will make for victorious battles. nIt is a magical stone.”nnEmmanuele looks down at the ground nAs he fumbles with the tassels on his boots. nHe can still hear the sound nOf many rebel groups nOr the government militia. nWho he’d been fighting for, nNo, no, he had no idea…nnChild-soldier children nFrom the soldier rebellion, nThese children rebel again. nnChild-soldier children nFrom the soldier rebellion, nThese children rebel again. n