Sestina: How Armies Are Formed

by Megan Auffart



In Tennessee again came Hitler,
born to a woman of little worth.
After school, he truly learned
the power of a dimpled smile
as old men, who had been soldiers,
placed him before the other children.

In false wars he led the children
who followed him, the little Hitler.
In recess they became his soldiers,
battling, fighting to prove their worth.
If done well, they earned his smile.
If done poorly, then they learned.

The arts of war aren't easily learned
and silently suffered the little children
as callused frowns replaced their smiles.
Passionate grew the little Hitler,
knowing well of his true worth
as children hardened into soldiers.

None noticed the change inside the soldiers
as strength and loyalty were learned.
It was drilled into each soldier the worth
of secrecy. To all they looked as children
but acted as they'd been taught by Hitler,
to show no mercy and never smile.

Rarely ever now did Hitler smile
As expectations grew with the soldiers.
Through snow and ice they followed Hitler,
and as some things can't be learned,
he had them train the other children
to follow him with all their worth.

The children offered things of worth
to fund the army. Hitler smiled
and told the eager little children
that they would be trained as soldiers,
Then, as payment for what they learned
they would each find recruits to follow Hitler.

Those of worth were lulled by solder's
dimpled, charming smiles that were learned
and practiced on children by the little Hitler.