Do what you are told or you might get killed,
eyes widened and blood running as though it were chilled.
Increased awareness building on the right and left,
being located would mean certain death.

Hiding under the dining room table, trembling with fear,
a young warrior awaits heavy footsteps he can hear.
Overwhelmed and in shock, he starts to weaken,
again being dragged by the hair and repeatedly beaten.

This the first battle of many to follow,
for each day becoming more hollow.
A skirmish a day endured for one year,
but a lifetime of scars, his mind will constantly sear.

The once happy three-year old now catatonic
lay still and numb, no thoughts but ironic.
Scores of wars and battles to come
lay in his wake, layers of pain become numb.