Martyr

Non sum

I am not

the person the media says I am

I am not

a monster.

I am human

But not whole

Nine years dead

Soon to be 10

Since the war of 2006

Childhood whisked away

On wind and ash

The lingering taste

Of smoke and blood

A child forced to bear witness

To the crimes of mankind

A people brought to its knees

and buried alive.

I am not

afraid anymore.

I am alive

I am the voice

of friends and family

Stolen away

By men who dared to dictate

Who lived and who died

crushing

burning

killing

With the might

of God

that did not belong to them.

I am not

Sorry to say goodbye

to the child 

Non fue

I was not-

I never got to be.

A sacrifice

for who I am

today.

A martyr

that died so that I

may live

for all those who were

taken

stolen

murdered.

I am

A witness 

of their deaths

and of

Their lives.

I am going to be

something

more.