Heartbeat Of Hope

• Juliet Khoury, Grade 5, St Michael's Primary School -
• Poetry
• 2022

Excellence Award in the 'Summertime Fun ONLINE' competition

A retching moment, a piercing scream,
A flickering shadow like black poison, menacing yet blissful,
A hand, clutching me, comforting me as my sorrow becomes tangible,
“Those who are lost are never truly gone,” a sporadic rasp murmurs,
The rickety boat sways, the tide barbaric and primitive,
My mind wanders to those we have lost, as our journey continues,
My thoughts stray as I remember their laughs and smiles,
How their tools could patch a hole in the universe, and brighten my day,
A world of explosions and staying on the run, forced us out of our country,
We strive for a better world of meals and warm beds and love,
How we will avenge those whom we can no longer see,
Whom’s warmth has disappeared, leaving only despair in its wake,
Determination ignited a burning fire in my chest,
A fire of life and courage and love,
A fire that keeps me living,
A heartbeat.