I had been ordered to guard a terrorist

Mainly for his own protection

He was a small man of about forty

And seemed surprised that I spoke English

As he also spoke English rather well

The man told me that when he was a child

He saw his whole family massacred

By the army without any mercy

Yet he was spared because of his tender years

I asked him why he had carried out these atrocities

Because I wanted revenge and because I was spared

He said without any emotion in his voice

Our illicit conversation was then interrupted

By others entering the cell

He was taken away and later hung for his crimes

I have often reflected on this conversation

And have drawn my own conclusions

Which I will not share