Living in War

No, we aren't heroes for surviving 

No, we don't feel strong 

We aren't happy, 

Or even ok 

Every sound makes us jump 

I could have sworn I heard the siren go off

Damn, that sounded awfully like a gunshot 

Do you hear that buzzing too? Do you think there's a drone overhead?

We're still afraid to shower when no one else is around

What if we don't hear the alarm go off?

We haven't slept naked in almost 2 years 

What if we get caught off guard and need to run 

Every knock at the door sends our hearts to our toes 

Even when he's home, sitting right next to me

The panic of what if they are coming to inform me he didn't make it this time

That he's never coming back home 

In our reality 

The yellow ribbons we hang are symbols of our broken hearts. While we continue to fight for their freedom, keeping hope alive. 

On the news, they count the days, while they read the names of the fallen heroes, we hope we don't know 

We want to shout at a world that cheers when our children need to hide in bomb shelters, closets, or trenches 

So yes, we’re surviving, and yes, we are proud

While we stand together on the broken pieces of our homes 

Knowing who our heroes are, those we won't ever forget 

Together is our secret, together is our hope, and it always has been 

Together we fall, together we stand, together we fight

And never do we ever leave any man behind. 

Wonderful support from the community of Bar Kuperstein, Holon, Israel