A child's life ended today
But quietly, with no ado
Destined never to dream again
Never again to hope anew

No one but I mourned for this child
His absence no one else could see
But somehow I was not surprised
For this child happened to be me

There was no place for him in war
It was not the place for a child
He was too innocent, too good
He was not ruthless, harsh, or wild

This child could not be a killer
So he left, not leaving a trace
He left because he could not kill
And so I came to take his place

But despite the end of his life
He was with me from the start
He shall always live on, in me
For though he died, I kept his heart