What of our Youth?

(This was written at the time of WWII - yes, I am that old, was young then - but at this time, the words of this piece are fitting. I dedicate it to all those who have served or are now serving)


What of our Youth?


What mean these dreams of youth?
That we do break and shatter thus ;
How shall we justify our deeds,
When widowed girls with children young,
Go walking past as in a trance:
And boys whose nimble feet had dared so much,
Go now with limp or not at all,


Whose prayers shall cause the ache to cease,
When stars of blue have turned to gold,
What words can reason see to use,
With children orphaned, tired and cold.


What empty words, "A war to end all wars"
If all we do is say these words,
But have no plan to follow them,
What will they think of us, these youth,
Whose dreams have gone completely now,


Our cause, our prayers, our reason, these,
To find a way to shed no blood.
And still bring peace to all the world.