that's the summer the war starts
the blood runs thicker
the nights go colder
but we're still so poor
so we huddle for warmth

that fall we must contribute to the effort
"all able over 18
must enlist"
but you're still so young and I worry so much
you join anyways

we thought it had been a cold summer
it was tropical compared to winter
your growing body wraps around mine
you're getting taller
(but I'm still not that small
you're just so
tall)

that spring the birds sing
the ground breaks and even though
the flowers are coated with blood
it's still
the most beautiful spring
I've ever seen