Missing words and captive thoughts
Under fire
Never enough
The lights stay off and eyes go blind
I only want to see tonight.
Lonely spaces are
Left unspoken and undone.
Shadows creep from all the corners.
Eyes can’t see as hearts grow numb.
I hold this dirt, this little dust.
It is my world and my country,
The ground below and the sky above,
Hold my everlasting loyalty.
But this starved land can’t save a soul
And it won’t protect my family.
I’ve forgotten how to ask for the things I need
Because, here, even hope has lost its meaning.
I don’t know about hope, but I know there is hunger
For a brighter night and for a tomorrow
Filled with food and family
Threatening to break free.
Growing pains bringing change;
I’ll feed my hopes on this.
For while my world has closed its eyes
I won’t sleep tonight.
LC Anderson High School
11