Playing War
A loaf of bread, untouched, waiting for my late brother
Finally home, he takes half the loaf and hands me the other
In his hand a soldier, in mine a tank, a game of war
"Take this! Boom boom boom!" his solider falls to the floor
Brothers bonding, our war games always end with a smile
Today again, I wait with bread in hand, tank rolling on the tile
Waiting for my brother's return, a game of catch with Dad
Dad's face is smiling, yet his eyes are so sad
Waiting for my brother, the house plunges into night
Brother's absence, Dad's embrace, holding Mom and me so tight
As Mom's tears fall, Dad speaks of games, words unclear
I offer him my brother's toy soldier, to bring him cheer
Dad's face frozen, as though he suffered a fright
He quickly leaves, neither brother nor father in sight
Mom looks out and whispers of war, her voice so low
Ah, I think, they're playing alone, a game that I know
If you won your war game, stop laughing and come quick
Surely Dad just needs my tank, my winning trick
Then Brother can return from this puzzling war
I dream of a bright house again, eating as four
But why is Brother's soldier hidden, in a drawer full of hair?
Waiting for my brother, this new mystery brings despair
I just want my brother, no more games of war
To play and laugh and share bread, just like before
No more war, only games of peace I wish to play
And for my family to be whole again, I kneel and I pray
Copyright ©
Ahyeon Kim
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