Girl, 13, writes a poem for troops

By: Keith Walker | Inside NoVA
Published: July 04, 2009

When Zahra Mansur, a volunteer with the Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross Youth Corps, was encouraged to write a letter to service members overseas, she took it a step further.

“I thought it would be nice to make it a bit more special, so I wrote one of my poems,” said the 13-year-old Pennington School seventh-grader.

Zahra, who has been writing poetry since she was in fourth grade, said she hopes her poem “Legends” will ease someone’s sense of “isolation,” which she imagines men and women in service abroad feel at times.

Zahra submitted the poem as part of a letter-writing partnership with the Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross and the News & Messenger.

There’s still time to submit letters and cards for delivery to troops deployed overseas. The campaign ends Wednesday, said Karen A. Wayne, chief executive officer of the Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Letters and cards may be dropped off at the Red Cross office at 9317 West St. in Old Town Manassas and at the News & Messenger offices at 14010 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge and 9009 Church St. in Manassas. Cards and letters may also be left at Little Hall, Quantico Marine Corps base.

Zahra's poem:

LEGENDS

Standing in the dead, open silence.

In the middle of argument and violence,

But in the end you bring protection,

In your work,

You show your affection.

You’ve heard many thank yous in letters and cards,

Saying how thankful we are to have you as our guard.

Your comrades and self are much more than soldiers,

Your country’s strength,

It’s foundation,