All Gone

When we hear the news, sorrow envelops us

We must quickly run, we cannot make a fuss,

And laughter and joy are now replaced

With so little time that we must not waste.

As soon as we step out the door, our memories start to slowly disappear

And across my cheek slides one single tear.

My old life gradually vanishes like cracks spreading through glass

And my sense of fear starts to amass.

All gone are the pictures and portraits that symbolize our happiness

Now cracked and damaged like our freedom that we must dismiss.

The basketball hoop, with its worn net and dented backboard

It held so many smiles and proud grins

Now sacrificed, like many other things, to wild war

And the process has only just started to begin.

My caramel-colored guitar

Rang euphonious notes of peace

When I would smile and listen

To those calming sounds it would release.

My books, the crisp flip of the pages

The enticing words would swaddle and hug me

And my only thought was what happens next?

Instead of will I survive?

And finally, my parents’ and grandparents’ crinkled smiles

Melting my heart and throwing away all the bad things.

Now their eyes are deep and sunken, and their faces are permanently

Molded into forlorn frowns.

The only thing keeping me from crumpling to

A ball of infinite crying

Is the slight hope of survival

And the thought of togetherness again

Where I’ll get a new guitar, more books, another basketball hoop, and

Maybe even some more smiles from my family

But you can never replace the joyful memories of home.