Harmless games

The baby was ecstatically happy
He had been given a toy gun, a cowboy hat,
It was his third birthday, no harm in that.
Parents were glad to see their child giggle
Pull the trigger shoot down his sisters
While creatively conceiving imaginary foes.
As years went by he promised to be good
Asked Father Christmas for action figures
Captain America and G.I. Joe,
Heroic Autobots and evil Decepticons
As he Transformed himself into a healthy young boy
Santa Claus benevolently complied.
Placed the gifts under a glittering tree
A sign of peace, once more no harm done
Only colourful plastic in his hands.
Ultimate super-soldiers fought, day in day out,
Killing psychopathic super-villains
While imaginary friends died in sociopathic oblivion.
He grew older to be a man and by Easter
He was given 59 missiles to be launched
On the super-enemies he created decades before,
Only super-heroes could obliterate and destroy.
Medals, honours, fame, bullets, corpses, famine,
Parents no longer there to witness his triumphs,
To be proud of him, see their child giggle.
When old age finally came pay him a visit
Knock on his door no toy or weapon existed
To shoot down the greatest rival of all.
A last prayer for mercy as Nemesis pushed him
To the wall, putting an end to the game
Of the harmless old man, who liked to play.
[Featured image: 1964 The Mattel Agent Zero M Sonic Blaster 5530]