The Year This Is

 

The year this is

I cannot

I can-not

I choke on my thoughts

I sob in my head

Everything runs amok

When I think of people

I love and I care

this world that I share

Who's it going to be?

Who will be next?

Soon they will choose

Who should it be?

Do the math in your head

x, y or z

You are already a statistic

But even so,

How have you been living?

Are you worth saving?

I know, it is tragic

But there is no shame

Those who have to choose

I cannot blame

They are so brave

to dive right in

to risk everything

to bring back that poison

into their lives, their living rooms

day in and day out

This is war

of a different kind

There is an enemy out there

and there will be one in your head

there can even be one that will make you starve

whatever it is, don't give up

Staying put is one way to fight

in this moment that's what it takes

But then, there is one more thing that each of us can do

Harden yourself

Toughen your spirit

If at all anything will save you

it is your WILL

the will to live

the will to fight

the will to not give up

even when death is creeping up on you

with all its might...

-Rathi Sudhakara