by Zainab Khan
We were raised in these streets
Chased butterflies with makeshift toys
Out in the burning sun
A galaxy riddled with bombs and guns
Young eyes, brimming with life
Mischief, taught in lullabies
By mothers who now weep
Their mouths torn in silent screams
Voices lost, misplaced in the rubble
Where our limbs hide, waiting to be sought
Tell them we’re okay, tell them it didn’t hurt
We pretended they were fireworks
As the walls closed in on us