Why oh Why

Why oh why
asked me my son
as he began to cry
why did he fire his gun?
Why oh why
asked me my son
as he took my to run
why so many had to die?
I knelt to look him the eye
but had nothing to reply.
Why oh why
asked me my son
as he began to shiver
why am I cold like the river?
I held him felt him close
in my throat,
a scream arose.
Why oh why
asked me my son
as in my arms he lie
is it now my turn to die?
Tears rained down my face
as his blood left its trace.
Why oh why?
I looked to the sky
feeling his life ebb away.
Why oh why
asked me my son
I kissed his cold young face
asked for God’s grace
his last breath a soft sigh
a kiss in a final goodbye.
Why oh why
asked me my son
why oh why
as I let his soul fly.
© Alan Noakes