he stared at the sky. | a poem about war

He stared at the sky.

He stared at the sky,

It looked the same today, as yesterday and the day before that,

But something didn't feel quite right,

Maybe because he had walked more than ever in the last two days,

Or maybe because he hadn't eaten much besides bread and water.

But then again, he had never been very picky about these things.

So he supposed it was because he hadn't seen his best friend in a month,

Or any of his classmates and teachers from his bustling middle-high school.

But he dismissed that thought as soon as it appeared in his mind.

Perhaps the reason for this unsettling feeling in his stomach,

Was the things he had seen, the horrors that he had seen last week -

When he had seen the military aircrafts circling above them from the window,

When he had caught a glimpse of his school burning from the closed curtains,

When he had watched wordlessly as his home was set ablaze and turned to ash,

When he had seen all those lifeless bodies being-

Yes, maybe that was it.

The reason for that cold sensation, and those anxious sleepless nights.

And then he wondered, as he slowly climbed into the military truck,

Will there be warm bread? A friend? A school? And most importantly, a home?

There were a myriad of uncertainties, the destination known and unknown all at once

So he stared at the sky looking for some answers,

But it looked the same still, as yesterday and the day before that.

Hazy and filled with smoke.       ━ star

─── • ───

The war in Ukraine needs no introduction. Normally, I tend to avoid mixing my writing with politics and controversy. But today, after more than a hundred days of war, destruction and cries - my pen called to me and I could not refuse to answer. 

 

Without talking about the geopolitical debate and disputes, I just want to recognize the civilians. The innocent children, who don't concern themselves with the economic crisis, or the military expansion. I wanted to highlight the things they care about through this poem - friends, school and food. We talk about the magnitude of the effects of the war, but here I simply want to point out the perspective of a young boy.

Urging everyone to send peaceful and positive vibrations in the environment, believe it or not - optimistic energy does make a difference to people's minds. Spread love around you and encourage everyone to do the same.

p.s. I now share my reading updates in the side pane of the blog, so maybe check that out? And everyone is more than welcome to start a discussion about books in the comments below :)

QOTD - What is one thing you're most scared of?

I'll start - I'm really scared of people breaking my trust.