TEARS AND SMILES

(The pendulum of life oscillates between them even after a Nuclear War)

I could feel the warmth of tears around

When the dust of annihilation subsides

I felt the stickiness of blood and sweat

I could hear the cries of pain and loss

When I met you down the lane, my child

My hands were numb to embrace you

I could not move my fingers to thee

To wipe your tears mixed with blood

There was this doll, though half burnt

I picked up and offered to console you

You cuddled it with your broken fingers

Then wiped the dirt from its face

The waves of feeling couldn't be held

From thee dirty but once cute face

You regained a light of care in your eyes

But behind that light I spot darkness

I saw the wave of fear in your eyes

For you saw the mushroom of sin

Sin which wiped your smiles forever

Sin which stole the breath of thy kin

One way, let’s be positive, child

The leftovers won’t be fighting on creed

The color of skin and faith thy believe

Won’t be shedding blood any more

Let me walk the long miles ahead

Holding thy little hand in mine

For we have to reach the horizon

To inhale the freshness of a new dawn.