The television is on the news channel
Showing pictures of grotesque tragedy
And stories that were yet to be told
But never got to be heard.

The television is on
Every day, at the same time.
Since I was a child, I wanted to hear those stories
But never got to hear the end of any.

The television is on
Because my dad wants to watch the news—
But he falls asleep before a baby in a distant land
Begins to talk and create its story.

The television is on;
I ask my mom what's going on
And when will I hear a complete story from their blood-stained, trauma-ridden faces.
She tells that's just how the world is.

The television is on:
The same scenario is presented every time.
I want to turn it off,
But what if a story gets told?

The television is on.
The same bloodied, horrified faces are shown;
The same rubble, corpses and tanks are shown.
I almost forgot about their stories.

The television is on,
But it's me who lit it up.
I don't like what I'm seeing,
And I know I'm powerless.

The television is on
And it stays on the whole night,
As i fall asleep before a baby in a distant land
Begins to talk and create its story.

The television is off.
No more blood smeared faces.
No more tragedy is shown.
No more explosions and cries are heard.
But the silence is loud, ringing in my ears
With the ghost of the voice meant to fill it with a story—
One that never got to be heard.