National Pride

I'm proud to be from [insert country name] because it is my home.
Of the countries in all the world, it's the only one I know.
All those other countries leave me trembling with fear.
Trying go figure out who they are, for that I do not care.
I know that all the others are so much worse than mine,
So no need to do anymore than make sure my land shines.
We might be all one world, and it might include all the rest,
but deep within my heart and soul I know that mine's the best.
So why would I reach out to them, when I can see what's true?
Reaching their hands back to me is something they'd never do.
I'm proud to be from [insert country name] because from where I live,
I'm safe and strong, and to other countries, there's never a need to give.

My Room

I sit in my room, on my bed by the window, and the war wages on. The fighting in the streets, the shouts and the cries, somehow don't touch me in my room. I can look down and see the men, and some women, too. I can hear the booms and crackles and shots. If I crack the window, I can smell the smoke. Untouched I sit in my room, and I wait and I pray, as the war is fought around me.

I have no real agenda, no motivation. The conflict leaves me untouched; my complacency is my safety. I'm not sure I even understand what it's all about, up in my tiny little room. My parents seem afraid, but why should they be? It is not our battle.

They say a great evil is rising. Some say it is the one side, some say it is the other. In my room, with the door shut and the windows barred now, there is no reason to decide who is right and who is wrong. They cannot touch me here. I hear the noise, but it does not come near me. I know there is fighting, but I am safe.

My bed is soft and comforting. If I lay still long enough, the war seems to fade. I drift off to sleep and dream of days brightened by the sun instead of by the explosion of bombs, days when smoke did not fill the air and it was safe to go outside. It seems so long ago. Still, I can sleep, and wake up again the next day, and I have no reason to complain.

Many have fled now. My parents seem to be considering going as well, but this is my home. I have known no where else but this room. Even before I was confined to it, I didn't go out that much, not really. In spite of the sights and sounds around me, I feel safe here, protected. No one would dare touch me here. They are so absorbed in their own conflict, they probably don't even know I am here.

More remain than we had thought. My parents have let some in, though I don't know why. My room is still my own, and always will be. I have decided that even if my family leaves, I will stay. I will not give up what is mine due to a battle that is not mine. This is my room, and I know I am safe here. I know I am safe.

The fighting gets closer, but I will no flee nor be afraid. I even open the windows some days for what little breeze there is, though there is far too much smoke for me to keep them open long. There is so much smoke now. Most days, I just keep a light by my bedside and read. My parents speak very little and still seem more afraid than they should be. I know this will pass, I feel like I have already seen it.

Some may think I am in denial, or just naive. I still say the fighting will not touch us here. We are nothing to those who care for whatever their own agenda may be. We are not even pawns, and we certainly are not kings, so we are of no value. My room has sturdy walls and that alone would keep me safe, but my lack of fear and lack of caring is a stronger wall still. I am nothing to anyone, but only exist in my room. And because of that, I will live on, no matter how long the war may wage.

In my room, I live.

If I Said Yes

If I said yes, where would I be? In a neat little house, part of a neat little row, in a happy, quiet neighborhood.

If I said yes, I would be with you, happy and unaware of anything else. I would have no other grand plans or schemes, and no great ambitions. Just having you would be enough.

If I said yes, I would have a family. I would have loved ones who depended on me. I would spend the evenings with you, with them. We would sit or play and smile. There would be peace.

If I said yes, life would be simple, not without any trouble, but without trouble I couldn't bear. Patience and kindness would work through it all. I know you would be there.

If I said yes, you would give me the world. All you have to offer, you offered to me. All I could take from you, you would give. I would have your love and devotion. I know your words would be true, and you would love me until breath had left you and you could love me no more.

If I said yes.

If I said yes, all this and more, and none of what I have.

If I said yes, no more longing, but for you; no more passions, but for you; no more living, but for you. And you for me.

If I said yes.

I said no.