by Amanie Antar - Montreal

Faces struck with terror and fright
Eyes open, Guns ready all through the night
We wait for the moment when they come in and demolish
our home
We can't be left in peace, they won't leave us alone

I glance at my father and witness the courage in his
eyes
His life has been filled with failed promises, murders
and lies
I turn to my mother, her face is no longer the one I
know
She is squeezing my brother tightly, afraid of letting
go

And finally they scamper into OUR house and yell words
I don't understand
They say we have disobeyed the rules, they say "this
is our land"
They raise their guns and I become terrified
I want freedom, I want justice, I just want to stay
alive

A shot fires and I hear a scream come from my mother
They have not murdered me, they have murdered my
brother
They laugh and joke and casually ignore what they have
done
My mother yells between sobs "Enjoy this life, for we
have the one to come!"

My mind is no longer working, I think I too, may have
died
Why isn't anyone helping us? Why doesn't anyone take
our side?
The world has turned away, and now just one more child
has passed
I guess no one minds, because I'm sure my brother will
not be the last

I look at my brother's frail, bloody body and realize
all I can do is wait
I don't want to live anymore when all I feel is hate.

:(