"The First"
                         (by Pat Harkin)

My child,
        My son.
I never doubted your courage or your will;
You had nothing to prove to me or your mother.
But you felt you had to prove it to your brother.
You had to go out and make your kill.


My child,
        My son.
Your friend thought he was doing you a favor.
Letting you take his place --
Your first patrol, in alien space.
You had to prove you were stronger, braver...


My child,
        My son.
The Galactica's youngest, and mine, but first
To learn it was only a ruse
That what we'd hoped was false
That the Cylons planned for us the worst.


My child,
        My son.
We thought the treaty all but signed and done
When you went out to die that day,
Leaving only one thing I could say:
"That, Mr. President, was my son."