Peace on Earth

I send this out every year, it's become something of a tradition.

Peace On Earth
 ©2003 Elizabeth L. Clark

Christmas eve... or used to be. Yule, if it still existed had already passed, as had all the other times of joy.

The world was a barren place. Devoid of joy, life... well almost barren. Alone it walked. Nothing moved, nothing stirred, not even a mouse.

It surveyed its surroundings with tear filled eyes. Blackened trees, scorched earth. Life once made the air sing, now only whispers of death broke the silence.

It stumbled over something and bending down, it picked the object up. It was a burned doll, barely held together by a few threads.

With a sob it sank to its knees, clutching the doll to its chest. This was all that marked the life that once teamed over this planet. A burned toy, once loved by a child.

All the children were gone now. Dead because of adults too stupid to see the damage their actions caused. No dogs played, no songs were sung.

It sobbed for a good long while before getting to its feet and stumbling back to its vehicle. It took the toy as a reminder of what had been.

As it speed into the night it whispered. "Now there is truly peace on Earth."