Page 89 of The Warrior
“This is the poem I picked,” Mila told me and projected it onto the table. “It was written before the war by a thirteen-year-old girl. My old teacher read it to us last year and I was moved by it.” Our heads were close and my eyes ran over the poem.
“A child wrote this?”
“It’s better if you read it out loud. Do you want me to read it to you?”
“Yes.”
Mila read to me in a low melodic singsong voice. The girl’s clear voice in combination with the strong message of the poem made the hair on my arms stand up.
Generation of Mirrors
It’s easy to be overwhelmed.
With all the hate and fear,
It’s a them and us mentality and threats are all we hear.
The scary talk about nuclear war and end of humanity.
What happened to the adults in this world – don’t they see the insanity?
I don’t have much power; I’m just a kid after all.
At least that’s what I used to think, before I picked up the ball.
Now, I’m determined to make a difference and put a smile on a friend’s face.
Remind them they are special and that withinus– there’s aspecialgrace.
We are the pure ones, not yet conditioned to think in color or race.
We don’t have to be stars or heroes, just a generation of mirrors.
Let others be blinded by the darkness while we reflect only the sun.
That being people who inspire us – people who are young.
People who make a difference –even if it’s just a small one.
I’m going to pointmymirror intheirdirection.
To reflect and magnify their light – and I can’t wait to see the reaction.
What’s going to happen when my friends do the same?
When our whole generation refuse to be blinded by hate and blame.
When we push back the darkness and laugh in its face.
No one can tell me that’s not our place.
I know stronger and wiser people have fought and given their lives.
I don’t mean no disrespect, but it’s time to be strategic and not buy into the lies.
Darkness cannot be fought with violence and hate.
It will only grow stronger and swallow us up in endless debate.
