The Untold Casualties of War

Who knows who are the casualties of war? Are they the wounded, maimed, and all the dead? Who counts the orphans, widows, those displaced? The untold truth, a light on this can shed I also am a casualty of war My soul is wounded by the grief I see The war is raging here inside my head I am held hostage, longing to be free Survivor guilt is ravaging my nights The blast of bombs, a morbid wake up call Though I'm alive, I feel so dead inside Like those cut down by hate, I take a fall Destructor's cravings are insatiable The sites destroyed include those of my mind My tears pour down with that of martyrs blood Like refugees, a haven I must find A lesser casualty, yet I am one This war is altering my very soul I am ashamed to claim a numbered place Yet war affects the country as a whole Aggressors will not stop their rampant rage The toll of death goes higher every day Who counts the living dead, devoid of hope? The shroud awaits the ones this war will slay The casualties of war exceed belief In Lebanon, war's reign defies relief Eileen Manassian Ghali The Untold Casulties of War An extended sonnet November 1, 2024