no title, just a war-filled poem

by nouriguess   Apr 16, 2017


If you're wondering who you are, I can tell you.
You're nothing. Nothing but a number,
and sometimes they don't even count you.
Your fate is in the hands of men in black suits
appearing on TV channels, shaking hands
and discussing how to kill you.
You're like millions here,
working in hospitals, in schools, in bars
from 7a.m. to 6p.m., running after a bus under
the rain, and feeling hungry and cold
after the 20th day of each month.

You will hurt but must never scream.
You're bombed but not allowed to shatter,

don't think you're worth more than a bullet.

You're not a human being.
A human being shouldn't starve this much,
a human being shouldn't hurt this much,
a human being shouldn't sell her
body to a fifty year old
man for a few dollars.

You're an animal. No, not even that. You're
nothing.
You're just that.

    report violation
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Latest Comments

  • 6 years ago

    by Nicko

    Judging comment

    This poem brings the Syrian conflict to our door step. The senselessness of war is so well illustrated here. To exist amongst this chaos must be unbelievable, and to what end, what is left when the smoke dissipates and only ash is left. All for the greed and power of a few. A very graphic and heart wrenching poem. You are right, in war we are not human or animal we cease to exist, all we can hope for is to endure

  • 6 years ago

    by Beautiful Chaos

    So hauntingly true

  • 6 years ago

    by silvershoes

    When I finish this poem, I want to scroll up to begin again. I've read it 10 times already.

  • 7 years ago

    by abracadabra

    I am being asked in this comment box if I "like this poem". What a stupid question. And no, I don't. I HATE this poem. I hate its truth that leaves me spinning. I hate everything about it.

    How do you do this? Thank god that you can do this, though a poet's heart is usually no armour against suffering.

    But this is a poem that doesn't ask us to feel sorry for you, it tells us to be sorry for all of us. And I am so, so sorry.

    All my love to you.

    • 6 years ago

      by silvershoes

      Your poem, Noura, and then Abby's comment - both moved me to tears. She said it perfectly. I hate this poem too. I hate that it's not just a poem. Heartbreaking.

  • 7 years ago

    by Ren

    Congrats on the win! :)

Read All Comments (21)

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