Those Boys

Darkness blankets the silence
of a world still fast asleep
as they were thrust rudely from dreams unrealized.
Those boys.
Alone in air so cold it's a trial
drawing breath.
Eternity stretches out before them
as they walk the road of the condemned,
never bothering to cast a longing
look back for escape.
Drudgery will fill the hours for them now.
They trudge grimly
as if this day were their last.
The joy of their youth,
far in the past.
All eyes are downcast as
they head off to school.