our hearts sunk with dread
the planes swarmed
and bombs dropped overhead

and we counted them
as they hit the ground.
and we counted the screams
as they hit the clouds.
and we counted the bodies
as they fell down.

and we watched the smoke
that killed the sun.
and we watched their tied feet
as they tried to run.
and we watched the soldiers
as they went from all to none.

and we grew weary
as our shoes stepped over dust.
and we touched fingertips
young skin in cuts.
and we looked ahead
as the proud town rusts.

we settled in before sunset
the planes swarmed
and we prepared to do it again.