Once Upon A Time These Children
as my feet trace the ground i feel as though im dancing while i walk
I’d love to dance on the shores of my country
with the sun beaming down on me…
squinting to count the clouds that cross the skies of where Im from
and into the distance i see above tree tops
my flag waving freely with the breeze
and relief washed over me..Im still in my dream.
because where im from,
once upon a time,
…the kids ran towards the sea and back as the water splashed
the sun hugged you so tightly that you sweat without moving
and children gathered beneath trees to accompany the lonley shades
rolling marble atop the dirt, and drawing across the earth, with branches
as the sun loosens its grip, and begins to fall from the sky
they knew, its time to return to their homes, for food must be waiting
and as she filled up their plates, their smiles anxious and greatful
to serve their stomaches after such a long day
and every glass filled to the rim, with water that waited to visit their throats
big bellied and full the children rested just until, they were ready to play again
exchanging smirks to one another
“now” says the mother” take out your books, its time you guys studied”
and reluctantly books and pencils were spread out on the floor.
pages flipped, minds hard at work..till no questions remained
and eyes drifted off to sleep, bloated at stomache and mind….
But that was all once upon a time,
…today these same kids fry beneath scorching sun,
water is just a miraculous dream..
everything surrounding them was scented blood…
and where was she who used to fill their plates minds and hearts
her arms were no longer around them, her love remained within them
and where was he who taught them games and told them stories
even though he was tired when he came from work.
has he gone back to work and decided not to return…?
maybe he took her with him, or so they thought.
they had no idea where they’ve gone, but here they were alone.
one cried himself to sleep every single day, waiting for her return
one held no emotion anymore, ever…with only one leg remaining..he lost all hope
amoung all the shouting and screaming, crying and whaling..
there was a painful silence.
all sounds become one. and routinley
nothing ever changes. the pain doesn’t fade
and my mind numbed, my body froze. i was no longer in my dream i know.
their eyes that once widened with excitment during school and play
now disowned its colour, tear stained and grey..
they no longer looked at one another, neither held answers so why bother..
and this was life now, for these children…
sitting between bodies, living amongst the dead.
they too were dead, they didn’t know how they still had breath.
air to breath, was the only thing they had left.
by: EnnaDa- Kiruthika Thusyanthan
Tags: Poetry/Art
