Children on the Cusp

They were children

on the cusp

of dreams not yet awakened

of walking home from school with friends

of eating bread cooked by the

loving hands of their mothers.

They were children

on the cusp

of puberty’s beckoning urges

of love and longing

of silences and wistful looks.

They were children

on the cusp

of imbibing another day

full of knowledge

imparted by their teachers

visions of a hopeful future

streaming across their minds’ eyes.

They were children

on the cusp

of winter turning into spring

of songs as yet unsung

of stories still waiting to be spun

of stars about to populate

the waiting night.

They were children

on the cusp

of being cut down way too soon

of answering to an unjust

and terrible vengeance

of leaving their families forever behind.

They were children

on the cusp.…