but i closed my eyes

i heard the moaning,
the screaming,
the sound of fear
and hopelessness;
so i covered my ears.

i could see your belongings
being taken,
i saw them
treating you like an animal
i watched at they 
stripped away your future;
but i closed my eyes.

the scent of sweat,
of unassurance,
potent with their hate --
it fills my nose;
so i shied away.

i felt your pain,
i suffered it as well,
touching them,
i could sense
their gallantry;
so i kept my hands
behind my back.

hey, you...
can you hear it?
did you see it?
are you smelling it?
could you feel it?

if you did,
help me --
help us.

do what i couldn't.

i couldn't listen,
i turned away, 
i stopping sniffing,
i didn't feel it.

do what i couldn't --
pay attention.
listen and watch.
don't run away.

--mindie bolce