Old Soul Poem by Barry Middleton

The old soul cannot escape
the pain that no one sees,

the pang of war and brutal fear
that nothing can appease.

The first to gaze with human eyes
so many eons hence,

still must struggle asking why
of grief without pretense.

Why must love and life desist?
And what is living for?

Can greed and killing ever cease,
and bring an end to war?

The old soul must hide the pain
for they have known the years,

and time can never stem the tide
of anguish, loss and tears.