When you write poetry, do you tend to write more about fictional things or real things you've seen or experienced?

Hey. Every time I read war poetry, especially war poetry involving soldier's dying and touching war poetry, I begin to get very sad and mournful. I then start to cry. But, I have a few family members that have served in the military before, but none that were actually K.I.A. or killed or anything. And, they've retired, so their not on active duty. Why is this? Why do I cry and grow sad every time I read any kind of war poetry?

I wrote a poem about the death of my young child. Everyone keeps telling me to enter it into poetry contest. I recently submitted it to a book and am awaiting a reply. This is a poem that really means a lot to me and I do not want to get scammed or anything. Can you please just give me name of websites or poetry books to submit my poem to. All information is greatly appreciated. Thank you!