I remember going to school and witnessing the tales
The sadness in each teacher’s eye
Their stories making the class strangely silent
I remember asking “Why?”

Why would they?
Why could they?
Were we not as strong as I once thought?

I remember the nightmares that night
How much fear the images instilled in me
Awakening with sweat and tears covering my body
I remember aking “Who?”

Who were they?
Who else was going to die?
Am I going to die?

I remember the year after
The scars enlaced in the brains of all those who witnessed it
Looking around and wondering, “Will I see them tomorrow?”
My parents saying it was over
I remember asking “What?”

What was over?
What was there to protect us?
What was it won’t happen again?

And for once, my questions were answered

Not by ways one may expect, but by their eyes
My “What?”s were answered with…

Nothing