Battered

I look around in disdain,

As I walk across the uneven terrain.

This was a place I once called home,

A country which I regarded as my own,
With family, friends, my daughters and sons,

But today I am all alone,
Wounded scarred and broken down.
My eyes have dried, I can't cry no more.
They say the worse is over, but I have nothing to live for.

They said it was war against the bad,
To uplift us, to free us, to fulfil our demands.
They invaded my country, brought soldiers and drones,
They killed the rulers and innocent souls.
Before my eyes I saw my worst fears unfold,
My sons prosecuted, my daughters disrobed.
Saw houses and trees that lined the streets,
Dissolve into dust and craters and covered with bloodied bodies.

I lost everything I ever had in this world,
Been tortured in ways that cannot be told.

Now like a prisoner wrapped in chains,
With other civilians I am dragged away.
"Why me?" I ask, "What have I done?"
But all I get is silence, being part of my country is reason enough.
Reason enough to think I am trouble,

Even though I am old, wounded and crippled.
Now all I am is a living corpse,
Hoping my end will come fast.