Ellipsis (Poem)

Gunshots echoed through the streets

Bare the chilly wind blew

Harsh on her face

The tiny fragile fingers firmly held her hand

Afraid to let go

No food, no water, no roof

Every day, every minute, every second

Passing by slowly

Hope . . .

The last supply left

But soon would be used up

No one knew the date

The tears were from the cruel, harsh cold winter wind

So she told herself

Fleeing from the only place they could call home

Fleeing from all they had ever known

Somewhere far away

They rounded a table

Discussed plans for a future

The first leaf of spring

Settled not far away

But when and would it truly end

For those who had lost

More than pride, more than freedom

. . . Life . . .

The streets scarred

The brutal unforgiving war

The lives that were lost

The souls that suffered

It would never be the same again

On the news...

It was inevitable they said

This was the chance to change they said

While in the cold alleyway

She shivered and the tiny hands in hers shuddered

The war was over they said

Peace would return they said

Life would be normal again they said

Would it . . .