The Young have gone…

What will you be, young soldier,

when you return from war?

Will you ever be the same again;

as naïve and innocent as before?

Where will you stand, young hero,

when to your hometown you return?

Will you silently hide in shadows;

or will the candle of acceptance burn?

What will you say, young warrior,

when they ask you what you’ve seen?

Will you say it don’t mean nuthin’;

or will you let them hear you scream?

How will you sleep, young fighter,

when day loses the battle against night?

Will you dream the dreams of the innocent;

or will nightmares awaken you in fright?

What will you think, young veteran,

in eleven thousand days from now?

Will you remember that it was worth it;

or will it, by your brothers’ blood, be sour?

©Anthony W. Pahl

09 April 2003