I can see their fury

Their sadness

Their horror

Still I am powerless

I can hear their cries

For justice

For peace

And I know they go unheard

I can smell their blood

The weapons

The tears

It makes my heart heavy

I can taste the discourse

Peppery

Coppery

It stings me clear to my soul

I can see the others

Their hate

Their disdain

Human lives seem meaningless

They approach, weapons leveled

Predatory Impulses

Bloodthirsty desires

Gleefully firing upon their fellow man

I can smell their instincts

Acrid

Soulless

Opportunity gives them a voice

I can hear their lies

“Safety”

“Justice”

They talk from two faces and forked tongues

I can feel their hate

Palpable

Cheerful

It weighs in my soul like damnation

I don’t know what to do

I want to help

I can’t fight

All I can do is strike in my way

I write it down, my feelings

My terror

My privilege

Still it’s doesn’t feel like enough

I sit on the sidelines

Confused

Terrified

I want it to end

My heart is heavy

Weighted

Burdened

Guilt for inaction and cowardice

This cannot stand. Still…

Lost

Afraid

My country is imploding

The time for action draws near

Neutrality

Observance

It may not be enough

I feel my soul’s desire

To help

To heal

To show that there is a way

But how can I help?

I’m lost

Directionless

I despise conflict above all else

Our leaders are useless

Complacent

Complicit

They hide away while Nero fiddles

Today, my country died

Like Rome

Like Egypt

I felt it in my soul.