I am a father *

I am a father

I am at home

Outside, a very loud 

And lights flare up and vanish suddenly

And fear 

In my children’s eyes

And my wife, my companion 

Tightly holding our daughter

Yes, I am a father


My son’s eyes are on me

For the first time

I cannot say “You are safe”

Another sound

Very close

Dust all over

Then more sounds

People running

Sirens

Voices of women and children

Screams of helpless fathers


I am a father

Holding my family

So tight

I don’t know

What will happen next 

I am tired

Let it be... now

And one more sound

Then, light

And silence

No more shouting

No more dust

No more voices from anyone


I am a father

I have a daughter

I have a son

And my wife, my companion

All looking at me

They are smiling

I am smiling 

The fear is gone… 

Now I say: 

We are safe 


*This was not intended to be a poem. Words just came when I was feeling the pain from injustice and suffering of especially women and children. 

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