by Becca White

I didn’t care when they loaded all of us into those trucks
Why would I care, I was only four after all

I didn’t care when they stuffed us into another truck more packed than the last
I was only four after all

I didn’t care when they kept me with mother and took my siblings and father
I was only four after all

I didn’t care when they loaded us into the stadium mothers and children
I was only four after all

I didn’t care when my friends started to disappear one after the next
I was only four after all

Then I turned five

In the middle of the night, they tried to tear me from my mother
She told me to run
So, I did
I didn’t know what was happening, I was only five

I went and I hid under the back row of bleachers
I didn’t want to know what was happening, I was only five

In the morning the sun rose, all was quiet now
I was quiet too, because I was only five

I looked around and saw our belongings, thrown, tattered and torn
I wanted my bear, because I was only five

I searched and searched, but I couldn’t find my bear
All I found was the shoes and the smell of ash in the air

I didn’t understand at the time because I was only five
But how I wish I could go back and be only four once again