I Learnt

His soul was it being taken away,

Killing his world and his wit astray.

Cold he lay in a sleep so endless,

What dream are you in, ask if I may.

Away from his long dead frame was I told to stay.

Being so young, I rushed in.

Partly of curiosity,

Partly of imbecility.

Something strange scented spilt along,

That deadly silence, that dreaded white sheet,

My feet trembled, something was wrong.

I tried to call him, not a word he said.

Never had I seen, never had I felt,

For death was the coffin he slept.

I swallowed, fell aback, in a fright,

Hundreds of them, I had caught a sight.

I wept, what else could I do,

I was only seven more than two.

Scared, helpless, I panicked and ran.

I walked a mile in an open grave.

Was there no one in the war, God could save?

For war it was that I talk of,

Sun was down and so was my heart.

Searched for Ma, but where to start?

The ground seemed like a wetland, grabbing me in,

That ghostly night, where was I to find a kith or kin?

With a heavy foot and racing mind,

I walked the shore.

It was cold and dark, I felt so sore.

"Why me?", I said to myself,

Was made to see such sea, when,

Instead of the moonlit shining sand,

Waves washed away the blood of dead men.

So many of them around me,

But I was to walk alone.

Walk alone,

Even if there were countless asleep to see.

Chased by death, guided by God,

I have learnt to survive every devilish prod.

Even if the night like war was long,

Peace came in,

With a bright morning and a chirpy song.

Dusk or dawn,

That is how life goes on.