Daniel In The Hyena’s Den

 

his limbs break like sticks

and these protectors

these vermin

hurt him

he has no more dreams

only the lonely nights

locked in the room

where pain will come

with demon eyes.

 

others

see a thin child

nothing more

but much less

in soul

they justify

their negligence

by quoting

numbers

pressures

temporary blindness.

 

Loveless little boy

whose only sin

is being born

to savages

 

the night comes

and the darkness

makes him cry

and in that crying

his fate is sealed

as one by one

the blows fall

until there is no

breath to breathe

no heart to beat

no tears to cry

 

pity etches scars

upon a tiny coffin

we should remember

and, as a nation, mourn him

we, who could not protect

a child

from the clutches

of hyenas