My child

As I look at you
I see the eyes of a child-
Eyes of innocence
Eyes of hope
Eyes filled with inexpressible joy.

But those eyes have not always been innocent-
They have looked death in the face,
They have cried tears of despair,
They know sorrow beyond comprehension.

I wish I could promise you
That the struggle is over,
That peace has laid its hand on you.
But, my child, I cannot promise you peace;
Your struggle has only just begun