A Survivor

My eyes scan over my sullen form in the mirror

I am hunched, I am broken

My blue irises hold years of terror

Memories of war

Bloody those would become,

For the day would always bring rains of crimson

Those who no longer have breath to breathe,

Or a voice to scream

Would be lying somewhere close where my dreams roamed free

I remember the respectful salute I gave

Before I entered the land of death,

Jumping straight into the monster’s lair

The O’s that formed on the wailing mouths

Made my own shrink in a grimace

So badly did my heart want to run,

So badly did my legs want to quit

But here I am, alive

But I wish my back would straighten,

I wish my smile would make an appearance,

My face quit looking so somber

I cannot turn back time

To erase all my memories and fears

They make me who I am

I am a survivor