The day when time stands still

You lay there so peaceful, your cheeks flushed as if you have been outside in the cold. I touch your hand but it's cold as ice. Squeezing your hand I wait for you to open your eyes, I need you to open your eyes. But you are in the deepest sleep.

There's a scream, mum is on her knees rocking back and forth. Pappa is in the corner clutching his chest. The General is in the room, he looks at me with his clear blue eyes and tells me that it's about numbers -some numbers don't come home. My heart is racing, I turn to find you but they have covered you with the flag. There's a scream, this time the scream belongs to me.

Three soldiers stand in front of me, they are staring at the ground. I wonder why they don't look me in the eyes. They hand me your things and then two of them turn and walk away. One soldier stands in front of me, his tears fall to the ground like rain drops. I think he wants to say something but there is only silence.

Loud bangs. My heart is pounding so hard I think it's going to burst out of my chest. I can't breathe the pain is so intense.

The flag is folded into a perfect triangle and handed to us. I want to grab the flag and burn it but I stop myself.

The sound of church bells. People in black surround me, touching and whispering. I watch as they lower you into a deep dark hole and I vow never to return. This is not meant to be your destiny. You are too young - too full of life for this! Voices calling me as I walk away but I don't look back. Time stands still.

The phone rings and I know it's you.

I wake up to find the sun shining on my face. The room is peaceful and I know that you are with me. I breathe a sigh of relief, it's over now. The day is long before the dream comes, maybe that's because I know that it is coming. There is no escaping the dream, it comes to take me back in time.

I close my eyes and smile, I feel the strength within. I will not be idle with despair.

We remember you.