Home No More

bullets fall like rain i cannot escape from this war. a mine explodes nearby, smoke fills my lungs, choking the very life from me. i see my mother standing tears in her sapphire eyes. she begs me to stay in America where it’s safe from war, “O mama,” i cry, “I won’t make it home to you.” flying backward, gun in the air freed from my weakened grasp. blood...is it mine? shock comes deep, i stagger up grasping empty straws. i see my father now, proud, strong, and true “don’t forget to pray,” he whispers crying, salt tears wetting his cheeks. i never forgot, papa, no not even once. i feel the blood wet my shirt darkness clouds my eyes, i hear a distant scream, voices echo in the field the battle is dying. i see my little brother standing so young and innocent eight years old and proud of me, “little brother, take up the torch don’t let freedom die, don’t let it...