Tears of Terror

“Only 4 years old, living in such Fear in war-torn Syria, she thought the photographer’s camera was a weapon and raised her hands to surrender.”

– Tears of Terror –

03/28/2015

Living in Fear, I’m TERRIFIED
I want to sleep through the night
But I’m too scared
My eyes open wide
.
It’s been like this since the day I was born
This is my Reality
This is my norm’
.
One day I asked my mom, “Where is my sister?”
She said she’s gone to heaven
And I really miss her
.
We never go to school, so we’ll never learn
What it’s like to get an education
All we feel is the burn.

I hear the explosion of another bomb
I run outside and now
I can’t find my mom
.
My dad has been gone since I was about two
A victim of Violence
Now I don’t know what to do
.
The family around me
Everybody is dying
Now I’m standing here alone
And I can’t stop crying
.

About the Poet

Brian Crandall: I write poetry in an effort to encourage caring and compassion for people who are struggling, and suffering.  The poetry I write about refugees and the homeless has been read in churches in the U.S., England, and New Zealand.  Syrian freedom fighters messaged me a thank you for the poetry about the struggles of Syrians.  The poetry I write about traumatized soldiers is incorporated into PTSD counseling groups in California and New Jersey, while the poetry is also incorporated into counseling in the ‘Alternatives to Violence Project’ in both a men’s and women’s prison.

To learn more, check out Brian’s book on Amazon

About the artist

Loraine Yow is a self-taught illustrator hiding in Portland, Oregon with her outlaw cat. Her home on the web can be found at www.lolo-ology.com

Photo Credit: Osman Sağırlı, Atmeh refugee camp in Syria, 2014