Looking Away

By Hiba Itani

Another child died today.

They searched for tears in our eyes,

But we were looking away.

Speak the words; the condolences I dare not pay

To the deafening voice that cries:

“My only child died today!”

Tell her that we know that they

Need us to rage, need us to rise,

But we are too busy… looking away.

Tell her humanity has little left to say,

And that some think that it is “Lies!”

When they hear of the child that died today.

Tell her it’s never too late to pray.

Tell her The Sustainer, The Wise

Will not look away.

The sky looks gray

It rains; it rains goodbyes.

Another child died today;

All the men were looking away.