BESLAN

You hold me hostage

To let your comrades live.

But, you seek for them the

Freedom

That only love can give.

Did you, too, see

A childhood playmate die?

Did you feel the fright and

Anguish?

Did you watch a Mother cry?

Surely, you must know

That hate imprisons still,

With bars that bind you,

Lifelong,

To its will?

So I ask for us

The end of sorrow.

I wish for you and all the

World,

A compassionate tomorrow.

This has been written in remembrance of those children who were held hostage and/or who died in the Beslan massacre on September 1, 2004. A photo wall of the victims is displayed at: http://www.golosbeslana.ru/pamyat.htm