Take Up Arms

• Maayan Leibenson, Grade 10, Abbotsleigh School
• Poetry
• 2022

Excellence Award in the 'Unleashed 2022' competition

The clock showed 19:39.
I watched with intent as the hand veered closer and closer to 19:40.
The train came to a stop and panic swept through in anarchy.
No feasible yokes would hold us back.
This was your fault. You unleashed us.
Chaos had arrived with Satan and fire.
The savages walked up and down; we were being policed.
Slaving away was no easy choice.
A dire situation, a plead for a voice.
You shouldn’t have kept us locked away. You unleashed us.
You put chains on our feet and shackles on our necks.
You rejoiced as my children walked to their deaths.
So, you have no right to blame us for the events that took place.
For when the hand turned to 19:45, you unleashed us.
We took up arms. Your evil was done.