I did not ask

~ TW

I did not ask
for this desert storm
I did not ask
for thunder clouds
or lightening strikes when
strangers made war
I did not ask for the clashes
of peace keeping
or tanks that shattered
my children’s dreams
or an empty table at meal times
or the rush from the house
or toys in pieces
lying in the dust

I did not ask for the boats
or safety’s chance
or the uncertainty of change
I did not ask
for the island or the wire
or the lost life in the eyes
of my children
I did not ask
to ask

Hazel Hall