The Silent Scream

By Zelam Thanawala

As she waits for the phone to ring,

Knowing it may not be a news so good,

But to hope her heart does cling,

As she tries to keep a happy mood.

When she gave a part of her heart

At the nation's feet,

Little did she know she would be so proud of her soldier's feat!

Yet each time her man went to fight,

She would not rest till he was back in her sight.

And today was one of those days when the enemy had come,

They didn't knock yet again,

And had to be pushed back some.

Her man didn't belong to her, he was the nation's protector.

Yet each night when she slept, his safety was all that she asked for at God's altar.

The man of her dreams, the father of her kids,

He also was a perfect son.

Not just to his mother but also his mother nation.

Her eyes shed a tear,

As for the phone call they waited,

It would ring any minute with news

They all hoped it would be what they want to hear.

Her heart was beating fast,

Each time she asked herself would this be the last?

And finally the bell did ring.

Her body quivered as she answered with a steady hand.

With a silent scream she heard it all.

She felt like any minute she would fall.

This was not the final call.

He was safe and would return to her more proud and tall.

Her silent scream shook her body as she knew she had another shot.

He wasn't hers afterall but he was all she got.

By Zelam Thanawala