A man
walks
cautiously
silently
stealthily
eyes never staying on one place
but roaming around
alert to sights and sounds
that spell danger
as he gets
closer
and
closer
to the enemies’ base.
Suddenly
five children
tumble out from an ally
jostling each other
just playing.
He aims his gun carefully
bearing in mind
his mission
to annihilate the enemy town.
His fingers
tighten around the trigger.
One boy
curious
inquisitive
brave
walks up to the man
greets him
asks him who he is
unaware of the concept
of a gun
unaware of the concept
of war
unaware of his impending death
as he smiles at the stranger
and holds out his hand
in greeting.
The man
looks into the eyes
of the boy
and sees his son
a startling resemblance.
Pure innocence
and filled
with love
not hatred.
And slowly
unsteadily
unsurely
hands shaking
he lowers the gun
and cries
at the thought
of what
he was about to do.
And the boy
looks on
in wonder.