Two young boys

In a world ravaged

By seemingly endless war

Find friendship

At the bank of a clear, serene river,

Where they come for respite,

Brief moments of escape

From the darkness, the horror,

Of WAR

And the pain of losing their dear young brothers

To this insatiable monster.

They do not let themselves drown

In the deep, black ocean

Of DESPAIR

Where lurks the loss of identity,

Loss of morality,

Conception of deep hatred and cynicism,

And total abandonment of previous values and beliefs.

Rather, they rise up,

Supporting each other,

And do not lose hope in the future.

Through hardship and suffering,

They constantly strive

For the joyful, illustrious day

Of PEACE.

It will not come easy,

But they remind themselves,

“We shall overcome”

And the golden, illuminated day

Of HAPPINESS

Will surely come.