2-0-2-0

As a girl I used 

to dream of being 

a princess locked in a tower 

yet when I was locked

away from the world 

hidden within four walls 

a single window covered in

black mesh to keep bugs from

coming in but also me 

from reaching out and 

touching the air 

wanting to sprout 

wings like a dove 

and soar away 

Sealed inside of the 

safety of stone 

and concret, ivy cascading 

down the walls 

I’m surrounded 

by a screaming silence 

afraid to breathe—

this polluted air 

with its deadly particles

I cover my face out of fear 

in hopes of recycling my

own breath to keep 

from being infected 

like termites, fear infests 

my mind telling me

to lock my doors 

devour the key 

abandon all ye who enter 

the gates of hell have 

been thrown open 

death walks freely 

in the daylight 

no one is safe no one is

spared—disaster swallows all

hope 

Behind plexiglass, standing 

six feet away I watch as once 

bustling streets transform to

stages for riots, bombs 

a place for brother to 

attack brother and 

sister to kill sister—

what was once natural 

and customary now is foreign 

and uncouth no longer 

do people hold hands, 

with finger entwined but 

pour boiling water on them

until their flesh is dry and raw 

unity has been stolen

replaced with division 

and hate 

what was once 

beautiful and joyful

is now desolate and barren 

as shops shut there doors

and restaurants are still 

lives filled with empty tables 

with untouched bread 

a ghost of the past

that haunt us 

birthday candles 

remain lit 

A collective longing 

threads us together 

keeps our blood pumping 

despite each loss 

each defeat 

every heartache 

I feel it deep in

the marrow of my bones 

and I will fight for it 

even if my contribution 

is feeble or in vain 

for time is my mistress 

though she has

placed me in 

chains, uprooted

stability, safety and

sanity 

she is blessing 

me with a new year 

and a chance 

for a new life