Among Nations

No stone throwing children
will die tonight
in the war at Gaza

feet now tucked against
brothers
and sisters
in love with their country. The
day spent scurrying
from archways
enemy tanks
soldiers in battle gear
the thwack of helicopter gun-ships
grenades
and rockets
like expectant rainfall. Some
parents were heroes and
death their reward.

Wrapped in blankets of fear,
chaos inherits
the battleground.

© Richard L. Provencher

First published April 2010
phati’tude Literary Magazine Vol. 2; Issue 1
New York, New York