إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ‎

Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Allah we shall return.

A lifetime is not enough to traverse the world and delve to its depth, 

We are but visitors of a place beyond,

only flitting here like butterflies

One life is hardly enough to see it all.

But you. 

You should’ve seen it all. 

You, who just opened your eyes to the world

You were born to feel its warmth, savour the seasons, and be enthralled by it all

You had to grow up, see the rainbow, in all its colourful glory

You would have gone to school, learned about everything so 

one day you could uncover the world's secrets

You were the flower that was yet to bloom

You, whose life was cut too short

You, who were born to be loved, and see vivid spring

Instead you only saw pain and grey

The world hurt you before you could even speak up in your defence

I cannot stand the cruelty of this world

A world that silenced you only for being born 

The prettiest flowers get picked first, that’s the rule- why?

I ask the heavens why you lay there wrapped in a shroud that is far too big for you. 

Why did you starve when I still have food?

The martyr does not feel the pain upon impact. Allah lifts their soul before the harshness of death itself

Some might even say death was a mercy after all the pain you were forced to endure

You must’ve felt the love of your mother, still

She gave you her best, despite having nothing herself

Her heart is aching for her baby, she prayed for you so long

I wish I could quell the pain of those left behind

The anguish of being all alone is probably worse

How much loss do you have to bear, gathering the remains of the life you have left after your everything has been ripped away from you.

I have lost so many of you, and I never knew you

But you were my kin

You were supposed to live free

And given respect

This was not supposed to be your life, looking for shelter while bombs rained from the skies, carrying your lives with you from home to tents and from tents to nowhere

I remember when the children gave a press conference pleading for their lives, I don’t even know how many of them are alive now

Another day, another story narrated too late,

Babies, school children, students, mothers, fathers, teachers, journalists, doctors…an endless list,

the bravest people,

All beloved by community

We remember you, and your hearts that were joy themselves

How you were steadfast during one adversity after another, your strength is immeasurable, your spirit unwavering

You are the people of heaven after all

We pray for you everyday

I hope heaven honours you in every way that this world did not.