when you were young you learned how to die

to touch the earth and hear the spirits cry

—

when you were small you learned to stop

no more life, animals, humans, crops

because when you were small you learned to kill

no need to fight against the will

—

when you grew up it happened all too fast

soldiers fell until you were the last

your father told you to belong to two homes

it was another chance to not be alone

—

when you grew old you heard what they said

of a villain, a hero in his stead

because when you grew old you lost your place

child of death, none of face

—

[nico di angelo, the worst of both worlds]