Cease Fire

Upon the final day of war, he stood shaken
With the death toll reaching over a thousand
In sad remorse, he hung his head and cried
His mind could not grasp the sounds forsaken.

Upon the final day of war, he stood shaken
The cannons silenced by a peaceful hand
His bayonet was hanging by his side
As he staked the flag upon the foreign land.

Upon the final day of war, he stood shaken
As he wept for the soldiers who had died
Like brothers, they became upon this sand
Strangers who now found comfort to confide.

Upon the final day of war, he stood shaken
As distant sunrise filtered in his eyes
In relief, he sank upon the burning sand
This war had turned a boy into a man.