One Old Man's (And War's) Dilemma Poem by Jim Yerman

I know I have to live, the old man said, having just lost his entire family to war…
But how do I go one living when I have nothing to live for?

How will I face the loneliness each evening…the heartbreak of each dawn?
How will I go on…when all I have…is gone?

Where will I put my grief every time hear their names…
knowing my broken heart will never beat the same?

How will I separate my sorrow while protecting their memories each day?
How do I keep those memories from ever fading away?

How will I find happiness again and not buckle under the strain?
How do I ensure your hate will not start running through my veins?

How do I keep your hate from winning when I'm so angry…when all I want to do is cry?
I'm not sure how I'll do all this…but…for their sake…I know I have to try.

I will try with all my heart not to let you have my hate…and all it's accompanying sins…
Because I know first-hand how much there is to lose…
the moment hate begins.