Doha, 16 April 2024

Doha based a 8th grade student RUBA OSAMA expresses her feelings through poetry on Israeli forces atrocities on innocent people of Palestine, specially of Gaza

Stolen Futures

the task was about futures,

but how selfish it seems

to ignore thousands of stolen futures

and focus on my hopes and dreams.

futures obscured by the cloud of smoke

that cloud of smoke which followed the strikes

their dreams were silenced by the sound of bombs

sniffles, tears and prayers replacing lullabies

born into the dust and rubble of conflict,

that conflict which seems to never end

their childhoods were taken within minutes

hope – a fleeting emotion, an intermittent friend.

the place they call home,

their playground also gone.

taken within minutes,

gone because of that bomb.

pitch black nights

brightened by the fiery skies,

instead of  fireworks for the children,

gunfire and air strikes.

“we stand with israel”

believe me, your stance is clear.

hypocrisy, double standards,

and a near century of fear.

i stand with innocent israelis

i stand with palestine,

my stand is with gaza

values of fairness and justice shall always be mine.

what about the children?

a million childhood dreams.

not even nightmares anymore

tons of rubble muffling their screams.

real people, not numbers

not empty shells with no souls

 a people with futures,

people like us, people with goals.

future doctors, scientists, artists,

to-be mothers and fathers to-be

but those futures are now buried,

for monsters in rage choose not to see.

monsters is a strong, vile word

but it’s the word i want to use.

because only monsters can carry carnage,

mercy and kindness they refuse