Fear within itself

By Lauren Kramer

12th grade, Arrowhead Union High School, WI

With lines from “The Risk of WWIII, Nuclear Weapons, and Ukraine’s Victory: Interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia” By: Kristina Zeleniuk, a project inspired by the Pulitzer Center

The world holds its breath,as a war might ignite. 

NATO. 

Nuclear weapons.

A terrible sight. A horrible illusion. 

Constant worry of losing those you love.

Ukraine's victory, a cause for pride

but with fear and tension, still lurking inside.

We must pray for those who seek the worst for us. 

The risk of World War III, it's all too real.

With 2024 elections coming up.

The thought about losing your freedom in the next 4 years. 

The stakes are high, the outcome surreal.

But let's not give up, let's not give in

to fear or to hate, or the urge to win.

We must find a way to talk and to listen.

To seek common ground, and to bridge division.

For peace is possible, if we believe.

And work together, to make it a reality we can achieve.