Burnt to the Ground

My eyes flash in terror      
To only think that my home,
My town, so beloved and
So sacred. Growing up
And staying with my friends
As kids normally do. Only to
Get destroyed and burnt
Down. I only wish that I
Could call out to my momma,
My everything since poppa
Left us. I want her to take me
Up in her arms, to tell me how
To get rid of the monsters.
If only she, my savior of
Another could protect me now,
To tell me more of her stories
That help me sleep at night.
More of those monsters
Are coming, killing every
Last one of us, not caring
That we were children.
They come, running towards
Me. Their guns and other
Weapons, reflecting in the
Flames, already threatening
To burn down my home, my
Sense of protection. As they
Closer, they remind me of the
Monsters that used to scare me.
My heart starts to beat faster.
My legs want to move as far
Away as I can. But suddenly,
I hear the words of my momma
Telling me to not be afraid.
It’s time to stop fighting and to
Just let go. That’s what I did.
I let go because I know
Anywhere else would be better
Than this place. Better than
Going on living with pain,
With suffering, knowing that
I lost everything. I know that
I will be reunited with
My momma and the rest of
Those who died, watching
Those who survived, knowing
That those horrid people
Killing and taking away
Innocent lives will never be
Able to live a peaceful life.
They will forever be haunted
By the ghosts of the children,
Of the men and women who
Didn’t deserve to die.

*inspired by the Oradour-sur-Glane massacre.*