the last call

though the lights are out

though the dark has won

though we ready ourselves

for the battle to come

though our chests crack

with the force of living

though we must keep

our souls from withering -

let it not be said

that our lives were in vain

let it not be said

that we deserved all our pain

let it ring true

our passion for kindness

let it ring true

that harrowing bell of justice

by tomorrow,

our numbers will be few

by tomorrow,

it may not be just me and you

so let us raise a glass

to all we ever knew

let us raise a glass

to our love burning true

let us toast

to the lives we will save

let us toast

to the children we will name

let us toast to them

and the future they will grow

let us toast to them

and hope that their future

isn’t to be alone.