Hope

Sleeping silently, tucked up in my bed

The fighting and shouting drowned out

Suddenly, BANG! A shock awakens me

Not sure what it’s all about

My mother runs in, tears in her eyes

She tells me, “We have to go.”

My mind floods with many questions

As there is so much I do not know

We leave the house with bags on our backs

I start to panic inside

The deafening cries of bombs and guns

Fade as we leave them behind

I ask my mother, ‚ÄúWhere’s father gone?‚Äù

And I see her grief stricken face

She tells me that he’s gone forever

Without a final embrace

Walking, walking for days on end

My legs start to give way

Trying to find the water’s edge

And a safe haven for us to stay

All I dream is for a house somewhere

Where my mother and I can stay

And the noise of bombs will be replaced by birds

As I walk to school everyday

After weeks we arrive on an alien shore

Bewildered and confused

We’re led on to a land of tents

As I trail along bemused

A lady leads us to a tent

With others like me inside

She tells me that I’ll be safe here

As she clutches my hand by her side

A glimmer of hope now enters my life

And I pray for love, hope and peace

And that the echoes of bombs and guns

Will halt and come to a cease

I hope for unity and strength

Between people of all religion and race

An armistice for a brighter future

To make the world a better place.

Tanushree Nag

14 years old

Nonsuch High School For Girls, London