Isaiah, you gave your blood to build this country

Now the streets are hungering for it again

When your son is shot,

weep for your daughter

You are always afraid, you are always afraid

It is a familiar fear

An old fever that never left your bones

And even when everything is gone

There is more that can be taken away

This is the essence of war,

Loss.

They screamed victory

And your parents turned to memory.

Be at peace, Isaiah.

The sky falls and

Everything turns to grey

You know this. You know this.

That is your tragedy.

Your children will have to.

That is theirs.