Above me the sky is chalky and sandy.

In the background the sounds of missiles flying into the villages.

The olive trees in flames.

Bowels of blood all around.

The buildings completely destroyed.

The old man I once knew is now breathing his last breath.

The new born child and his mother are underneath all the rubble.

They all long for one thing - for a life of freedom from this oppression.

Just like me.

But now I come to my senses and mama is lying on the ground.

Shes covered in blood and sorrow.

I weep and shed a million tears of blood.

This will be the last time I speak to my her.

The last time I will kiss her forehead.

I ask God for more time, but she’s almost gone.

It’s too late.

She says to me, “Don't be frightened my son you will be safe soon”.

Her eyes shut and the last thing that comes out of her mouth is the shahadah.

Ashh?du ?an l? ?il?ha ?illa?ll?h wa ashh?du ?an Muh?ammad ras??l All?h

"I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah".