The Wall

• Bolu Ifesanwo, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2022

As we lay in the barrack awaiting our fate, thoughts gallop through my head at a mile a minute
I hear the key turn in the door and I start to hyperventilate, I’ve reached my limit
I grab my sister’s hand as we are led to the courtyard, fear courses through my body
As I see the wall where many have fallen before me , I gaze deeply into the guard’s eyes, he’s not sorry
As the guard starts to load his gun I begin to cry
“Please don’t shoot us”, A hint of compassion appears in his eyes
As he starts to lower his gun he slowly reminds himself of all he has done
Families broken apart all with one simple bullet to the heart
I slowly begin to see his eyes harden as his hate for Jews once again clouds his vision
I breathe out a shaky sigh and I feel my sister stiffen
He jerks his head at my sister, I start to tremble and shake
He orders me to shoot her, and my heart begins to ache
As I look into her eyes one last time, she nods that she is ready
As realise I what I have to do my fingers start to become steady
As I lift the gun up to my head my sister cries out, I steel my heart against her cries
A loud bang echoes and I crumple to the ground