I am in a market somewhere foreign.
A small sweet Syrian boy hops toward me
On one leg
And shyly asks for a sweet,
He spreads a hand
And leans with the other
On his crutch

“Are you OK?
Who did that to you?”
I asked aghast,
Pointing to his fesh bandage.

“Entum” (you)
He answers timidly
His apologetic bashfulness strangles
My shocked shame
Damned, Damned war!

Now, I lie on the beach.
A small sweet girl in a bathing suit
Hobbles with one leg with a crutch, toward the water
The Palestinian flag over her shoulders.

“What happened to you?
Who could have done that to you?”
I ask aghast
Pointing to her new crutch

Then I wake
My heart filled with bitter tears for both children-
Damned, Damned war!