When Will This Stop

I thought I heard a melody

I could not recognize it,

But it was a melancholic rhapsody

Reminds me of what happened here

This place used to be peaceful and serene

With cheerful kids and loving families

But now, look, look what this place had turn into

Playgrounds had turn into cemeteries

Ponds seemed like a pool of blood.

I remembered seeing  red, thick liquid flows from death bodies

I remembered hearing people’s agonizing screams,

Begging to be saved, thus they can carry on their lives.

There’s no more smile and happiness left

Only screams, wounds, hunger, and tears

There’s no sound of laugh

Only blaring gunshot and detonators

Leading civilians to their graves

Families scattered; fathers go to the battlefield,

Mothers hunt for utilities

Children crouch down in fear and trauma, terrified.

Is this what we called ‘World’?

I kept asking myself the same riddle I never could answer,

‘Why does war have to happen?’

I’m tired of seeing so many deaths

I couldn’t stand in this warfare

We didn’t need strong warriors,

We didn’t ask for an invincible hero

We wanted peace, we needed peace.

And yet I’m still wondering, when will this stop?

-Heidira Witri Handayani