this is war

Panting

I'm holding onto the wall for support...

I've been running...

Very long...
My legs weak
and my lungs are bleeding inside of me

There's a pain in my left side
Blood is gushing and its unbearable

...
I sink to my knees
And grab the dagger from my boot...

I linger for just one moment
Catching my breath

There's silence...

Then
I get up ..

Because I'm strong
Or that's what I'm going to keep telling myself.
...

It's dark
Only the moon ...
To shine on me tonight....

I can see the shadows of the dead ...
... lingering in the corners

Men
Women
Even children

Eyes wide open
With fear painted across each one of them

Their hearts have been carved out.
Spaces left open

The knives left behind ..
...

A body in the street
...
Captures my attention

...
I run

For I notice that body

I've held it before

And I that hair
I remember my fingers sweeping through them just this morning


I stop frozen ...
My love

Dead....


I take a breath
And whisper

.... "This is war ."