AFTER THE WAR

 

The old man…who has lived long…who has seen this a hundred times before

was asked, “What he thinks is the saddest part of war?”

“The tragedy of war,” the old man said, “amid the destruction, the death…the screams

is what it does to the children…specifically to their dreams.”

Before the war children’s dreams are pure and innocent…and free…

Before the war children dream of a world they’d like to see.”

“A world of toys and candy…where only rain and sunshine fall from up above.

A peaceful world filled with family, laughter, friendship…a world of tenderness and love.”

After the war…their dreams have changed…their childhood dreams have ceased

Now…as they remember the death and the destruction…

they no longer dream of peace.

 

They are no longer those same children, 

young and innocent and small…

now they dream of revenge…

of retaliation…

of retribution…

if they are still alive or dare to dream at all.

The saddest part of war, the old man said…

is when the children’s dreams no longer harmlessly and naively soar….

it’s when their dreams…once so innocent and free…

now turn to dreams of war.”

For when dreams of family and love and laughter 

dreams of toys and candy…and peace…

turn to dreams of war…

then wars will never cease.