War. Such a small word for something so big What does it mean? Gunshots ringing through the air as his strong arms wrap around me, covering my ears I can still hear the screams Families are ripped apart The ones that survive pick up the broken pieces, if there are any left Most of them are broken too, shattered souls still bleeding Many have no tears left to cry, hearts freezing over, sharp icicles drawing blood, both theirs and others Everything is grey. Even his eyes look...dead A few nights ago we were clinging to each other, was it for warmth or comfort? It didn't matter Phantom feelings of a ruined past, like a ghostly touch, start to stir A melody I can't quite grasp, sung by a memory, forever lost to the chaos I can almost picture an angel-white dove taking flight It keeps me going through the pain But when I open my eyes, it's fallen, red staining its feathers His calloused hands were cold and still, wrapped around me in a final embrace His last promise to protect me The gods came that day, too They were too late Now I think to myself, "Is it really over?" And every time, my reflection whispers back, "No, it's not."