So, I hate posting poems on here because the formatting sucks, but here is one I am proud of :) Please let me know your thoughts!

(Words: 243)


When The War Raged

When the war raged outside of our doors,

Every stranger on the street was an enemy.

It was better to assume the worst

Than wait for the truth to shine through.

-o0o-

When the news arrived in the mornings,

We didn't read it, we skimmed

Through the articles, the obituaries,

Hoping not to see a name we knew.

-o0o-

When the frames of our windows shook,

We locked them tight, and stayed indoors.

The world outside was a frightening place,

Better if we didn't know.

-o0o-

When we went to bed at night,

We didn't sleep.

We drifted through dreams and nightmares,

Lying awake with our ears and eyes piqued.

-o0o-

Every sound from the street was a curse,

Every laugh was a cry.

Every promise of love was a death threat.

Better to assume the worst.

-o0o-

Fear traced our every outline,

Fear thought carefully about every word.

When the war raged outside of our doors,

Fear controlled us and kept us subdued.

-o0o-

Every stranger on the street was an enemy,

Every friend and associate, too.

They have ways and the will to break you,

We didn't know who was left true.

-o0o-

For when war comes, it's better

To stay to yourself and your own

Than wait for the truth to shine through

When you're outwitted, out-numbered, alone.

-o0o-

But a man can't defend an empire,

And a man can't stop evil alone.

You stay to yourself and you'll soon find,

No one there when they finally come.