I have so many people in my life,
Friends, family, a lover
They are most valuable to me
But when I'm on my own
Fighting, hearing the cries of those around me
Hearing the rage and emptiness
I value my enemy most of all
Not because they mean something to me
But because they are the only reason,
I have survived this long; this war
It's a plague of madness
Driving us to madness
But these enemies are my teachers

They've taught me that time doesn't stop
So neither can I
I've learned to stay in control of my emotions
I can panic later but in the moment I must keep a clear head
They've shown how ruthless they are
And how ruthless I must be for the time being
I can be merciful, compassionate
But I've learned to keep one hand always firm
They've taught me to make the hard calls
And they are sometimes too much to bear in the moment
But time doesn't stop, and it does heal
They were the right choices
One I could never make if I'd not seen the worst of man

I've no regrets
Only wishes
Wishing for war to never exist
Or too someday end
Maybe will end all wars
Maybe war will end us
But if we fall too far
May the end bring a new beginning


© Aries Andino