Lament for the Children of Syria

I do not seek you

where the children peer

into the burning night;

fire, false dawn

consumes their eyes,

rages through thin skin.

I do not know

where you go when

the gas softly flows

through the shelter;

have you left us here

in this veil of tears, fear-

full and alone?

Oh, where may I seek you

but in this green shade

of whitened bone?

(1 Oct 2013)