War child

The steady hum

of beating hearts and

labored breaths,

The distant sound of

screams, wailing cries of

sleepless sirens and

children's bated breath.

Fear replaces hunger, and

survival replaces fear. A

soldiers march can make

the world stands still.

The barrel of a gun feels

like mercy, When it's

pressed against your head.

It means you aren't the

one being forced to carry

the other end

-Kassey Nelson