close your eyes

Vernon Louw

close your eyes ...

open your mind ...

and watch ...

you see her
vaguely first
then closer
clearer
black curls fringing
flowing facial lines
her eyebrows soft
and dark the lining
above her almond eyes

innocence sheltered
in playful smile
softly swinging
upwards the corners
of rosy lips
on olive skin

three years old
teddy bear tightly held
protected from
the world outside
she barely knows

singing softly
self-made songs
her eyes alight
with childlike joy

she never saw the tug of war
nor the big bird in the sky
she never heard the grown-up talks
nor her mother’s anguished cry
she never thought that on this day ...
nor knew that big men played
these kind of games
she never saw the ...

... shrapnel split her silky hair
missing just her little bear
hiding scared beneath
her broken head

a conscience strained
by battle-cries
has now performed
a duty done
but blood remains
today
on sand and hands
and many minds
eternal stains

a little head in pool of pain
limp hands crumpled
born in vain
her princess’s dreams
and fairy fancies
the small delights
and future felt
by those who loved

her ... yes, her ...

open your eyes ...

wash your hands ...

and walk away ...

boontoe

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