A/N: Oh, well. Another series of Barricade Day poems over again. They come and go so fast each year. Thanks to everyone who read them, and to Almost an Actress and Phoenixflames12 for being the first reviewers. Thanks, girls. You're both awesome. ;).
On a long-ago night, a burning light
Faded from the city I have lost and won.
Where we schoolboys fought in our little fort
And watched in terror when lives were cut short.
I fled home in the rain, through the dark and empty lanes
Away from the ruins and the barricade.
It'd been a sad day, and I started to pray
For the city I've lost and won.
One Sunday morning, I remembered the tune
That called us to fight on that summer day in June.
Men looked in their souls, and took on a champion's role,
They fought for their country and the freedom of man.
But when the fighting began was when I ran.
Fleeing from the guns was how my life had won.
But feeling the day's cost was how I knew I'd lost.
One Sunday evening, I remembered the song
That spoke to us young men, that gave us the promise
Of not being slaves again.
It spoke to us youths, and to speak the truth
I was glad I came when I was called on.
I wanted to live my life, and to end this strife
In the city I've lost and won.
But when I returned to where the old light had burned,
I was amazed to hear that same old tune
Sung on another summer day in June.
The army is back, but their hearts weren't black
As they shot the boys with their backs against the wall.
With their flags and their guns, oh my God, what have they done
To the city I've lost and won?
Now the song is gone, but the tune carries on.
For its light can be doused, never put out.
Men will not forget, and their hearts are still set
On the beating of the drums, on when tomorrow comes.
For what's done is done, and what's won is won
And what's lost is lost and gone forever.
I continue to pray for a bright, brand new day
For the city I've lost and won.