Consequences

• Michael Ryan, Grade 12, St Norbert's College -
• Poetry
• 2018

Excellence Award in the 'Horizon of Dreams 2018' competition

I understand not wanting to fight anymore
I can understand the allure of the dark
I can understand the drive for peace amongst a war
But the world doesn’t stop on our behalf
It doesn’t wait for approval, it turns; we can only turn with it
You don’t want to fight? Then don’t
You want to hide away? Then hide
You yearn for peace? Then make it
You want to fight, wound, kill? Then fight
Just remember this, and know the choice you make
Pacifists can’t protect anyone, not even themselves
Those who hide will die forgotten, as if they were never there
Idealists make themselves a target, and are never at peace
Soldiers, even if they reign victorious, are never free from their sins
The world doesn’t stop on our behalf, so you make your choice
But be ready for what comes next, because that, like your choice, is all yours