But At What Cost?

• Amaya Liyanage, Grade 8, Loyola College -
• Poetry
• 2018

1st in the 'Horizon of Dreams 2018' competition

Life and Death waltzed amidst the world’s humanity,
In time to the tune of the ocean’s immortality.
The Earth turned to ash as Death hummed the beat,
To be swiftly reawakened as Life sung, so bittersweet.
As Death’s breath caught the wind, all sorrow was unfurled,
Only to be quenched by the beauty Life bestowed.
Where Life created wonders, splendour and jubilation,
Death wreaked havoc and mayhem across the many nations.
“But must you demolish the exuberance that I gladly grant?
For happiness these days is ever so scant!”
Life said to Death as the lives came to an end.
Death’s answer was astute as he began to contend,
“If this world’s homes and dreams were never gone or burnt,
Tell me, would these mortals ever have a lesson learnt?”
This has been the way it was since centuries before,
And shall continue onwards in a cycle forevermore.