Was Blind But Now I See

• Rae Carter, Grade 12
• Poetry
• 2008

They left with stars in their eyes,
But came back, hollow and black;
Eyes drained of light and life,
As what they had seen began to take hold.

Gradually, as time was to pass,
The generation dies, with the images in their eyes,
And stories never seem to last
Like those the mind has lived.

Stories were forgotten, advice lost.
The innocent wanted more; they wanted to explore.
They didn’t realise what it cost
To fight for your country in war.

They left with stars in their eyes
And are still trying to keep them shining,
But it’s hard when there’s such demise
And the world is turning back.