They told us to stand
With our faces to the wall
So close we couldn’t breathe
They were children
But there was no glow in their eyes
Not a single ounce of love in their laughter
They were soldiers
Now and forever
They told us to walk
Side by side
Hands in the air
Silently moving
But they had us backwards
Their thoughts were backwards
Brainwashed by hatred
Then with shallow steps
They approached us
And we watched as their tongues
Collided with the roofs of their mouths
Their words backwards
Their notions were backward
Spun around by those too weak to fight
Their own backwards battle
But as fear overflowed in me
Their language
So backwards from mine
Felt so calming to me
Brought me to a complete ease
And for one moment
I thought I could soothe their backwards hearts
Because after all they’re children
But I was wrong, they’re soldiers