Cambodia: Once Mine

There was a change
For the family with
The indiscriminate blast
Fear bolted in me
It was almost as if
I were a Cambodian storm
Thundering through
A war-ravaged landscape
Unearthing dormant mines
Thirty seconds between the bang
And the smell of wounded flesh
My brother’s screams exploded
Across the rice paddies
Forever in my head


Jane McAulay Wilson

Cambodia: Once Mine by

This is a poem that I did with some students using a technique called found poems. It’s a great way to start writing when you don’t have too many ideas. There’s a lesson plan at http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_vi.... It’s designed to be taught in class but I think it’s good for anyone who wants to write poetry. If you decide to try it, please let me know how you get on.

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cambodia, landmines, poem