thanks mark, for your comments. childhood is certainly a simpler, more innocent time. and it might be far fetched to want us to get back to that, after all that life demands as an adult. i have mixed feelings about this poem, since i wrote it, about a year ago. i try to process what i think through my poetry, get better with language and communication, but i'm often asking myself, is this true to life? real wisdom or beauty? it's how i process, though. it's nice to find a community that is sensitive to the fact that we're all growing and processing, both as thinkers/doers, and as writers. i do like the title, because kids are not used to killing, that innocence that you were talking about. (and should not be used for killing, either.) though you are certainly right, used is a difficult word.

thanks raj!