Child Soldier Turned Poet Tells His Reason for Writing
On November 8, 2018, while snow was falling through the cold night air, Mario Escobar gave a reading of some of his poetic works intermingled with some backstory on what drove him to write. He delivered his lecture in the Ferrell Academic Center at Benedictine College.
Dr. Francisco Leon Rivero, Assistant Professor of the World & Classical Languages and Cultures department, is a good friend of Escobar’s. At 7:08, he started off the event by introducing the poet. Professor’s Escobar’s story is one of hardship, an endeavor to mend relationships, and a struggle with coping with PTSD.
Mario Escobar’s story in relevance to his lecture began at the age of 10 when he became a child soldier involved in the guerilla warfare raging in El Salvador where he was raised. The professor cannot recollect some of the details of his time spent in combat. He also stated that when he gets in certain proximity to a helicopter, his body trembles. The professionals he has consulted say it is part of the PTSD that is not likely to leave him in the near future.
