I close my eyes and I see sunlight, flowers, and the colors of this world.
But when I open them, I return to reality.
Worn white walls. Tired body, in the same position,
Sitting in corners on beds, arms restrained, and heads leaned back against walls.
If only I could go back,
To those times of smiles,
Times of children playing in the yards,
Laughter echoing down the streets.
But, there's no returning.
Not after the red,
The red of that night,
Friends, allies, strangers.
Shot, exploded, just gone and dead with red,
Red splattered on the ground, faces, and camo clothes,
I close my eyes once more and only see red.
The red known as War, Hunger, Death, and Sickness.
Wars of red and puddles of red.
This is what the world is made of.
My parents left me in this place to die,
They say I'm unreachable.
All I see is red now, whether my eyes are open or closed.
For there is no hope for me now,
The red has taken over my life.
All I'll see is red till the day I die.