They Sold Their Souls to the Devil: And All the Little Soldiers Fall in Line is a collection of poems reflecting on a corrupt American government as well as life and parenthood

 

 

And All the Little Soldiers Fall in Line: Poems and Tales

Andrew Buckner

Requiem Press, 2025

ISBN: 9798280508118

Ebook, 113 ppg.

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If there’s one thing that can be said about Andrew Buckner the poet, it’s that he is not afraid to speak the truth in his writing. Here, in his newest collection of poetry and tales, his poems speak boldly about politics, life and parenthood. The politics angle is one I have noticed many writers and publishers are avoiding, but I’m glad there are still writers out there willing to write the TRUTH about the shitshow that is our American government in their writing.

 

I enjoyed reading all of the poems as well as the tales in this book. Some of the poems really stood out for me.

 

The title poem “And All The Little Soldiers Fall In Line” stands out among them all. Reading this poem reminded me of just how lost our government is, caving in to the demands of a tyrannical president who punishes them if he doesn’t get his way. These lines especially captures that notion:

 

“and all the

little soldiers

fall in line

 

to do the

american king’s

hateful bidding” (pg. 1)

 

Hateful indeed. A LOT of the actions of our current president are examples of his war against the American people, not to mention marginalized groups he is trying to erase from this country.

 

Another poem that I liked was one that also hit home with me: “(Irretrievably) Out The Window.” This poem talks about how we exchange portions of our lives for jobs that earn money that, just as our time does, just as this part of our life does, goes “right out the window.” We work for money that disappears just like that because of mortgages, repairs, kids, medical needs, food, etc., thus making us having to work more in order to earn more money, which will disappear again. It’s a vicious cycle.

 

The poem “Sorry, Kids, Or The Final Curtain Call” is such a powerful poem. Especially this part:

 

“Sorry, kids,

we couldn’t give you a better future.

 

We voted with our hate

and not our head.” (pg. 91)

 

And All the Little Soldiers Fall in Line is a collection of poems that captures the current state of our government as well as snippets from the author’s life and his observations. They’re the kind of poems that make you think, wonder, look back and, hopefully, take action to fight for the kind of future we want our children to have.

 

Five stars.

 

 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.