Their Everlasting Night

Their Everlasting Night The pain of night returns carrying with it the horror of the lost lives of the still living. The shadows of the headlights, the sounds of the boots, the flowered names on the doors pushed open, the eyes pried open, the legs forced open by these soldiers seeking “comfort”. These Japanese Military Sex Slaves, “comfort women”, coerced, bribed, abducted and transported to battle zones to provide “comfort” to the Japanese soldiers. Children stripped of childhood, young women degraded, demeaned, disgraced at the hands of still unrepentant rapists. Who will comfort these women now, in the pain of their everlasting night. As of this time about 40 still live, still dread the pain of sunset’s pall the scent of the darkness. They are but a few - yet wish to ensure that the story of the many does not fade into history’s silent acquiescence. There is a shame that should be felt, not by these women, but by all of humankind, an ache that pierces the soul of all, a question that must be asked knowing that we will find no comfort in the answer. John G. Lawless 3/4/2015 submitted to – The Pain of Night – Poetry Contest sponsor – Tammy Reams