Stimulating W's

why?
why is it that me and you live under this one same sky
but we see it with different eyes
why have I
lost my ability to cry
long ago
at the age of five
when my mother bent my bones
so that I could stand out to those
who occasionally stroll
my way
in hopes they pay
but the truth is, the sight of my disfigured body is too hard to take
my mother told me she loved me why
did she lie
why have I never known my father
why
do I sit around and whine
all day on this street begging for dimes
I'd much rather have you spare me your time
ask me my name and maybe try and make me laugh
I forgot how that felt
my name is maryam btw and I don't know how that's spelt
and I don't know what to do with this hand I was dealt
all I know how to do
is try to sympathize with you
I, once heard about school
about how kids just like me play and learn and even laugh
I yearn for my turn at a chance like that
but here I am, nothing but a dreg
and all I know how to do is beg
so don't be mad at me when you walk away and I send my little sister to go pull on your leg
because that's my life
I will never know what its like
to read and write
or ride a bike
why?
was I maimed
and why
can't I
spell my name
why?
so please try
and relate
and please try
to donate
please come to my aid
please, help me escape
What?
what did I do?
to deserve this abuse
from my father who uses me as a tool
to light up a fuse
to blow off some fumes
so I'm forced to endure
and because of it I've lost sight in my left eye
his anger stems from our, rather my
inability to generate enough income to pay off the debts my father has accumulated over time
from all the money he's borrowed from some not so nice guys
you see my father got into some habits, drugs and such
so his addictions
have put a restriction
on his exposition
which is ultimately the cause of my afflictions
and unfortunately my mothers as well
that man made her live a living hell
but she taught me how to be bold
and a day doesn't go by that I don't think about her, God have mercy on her soul
but i refuse to let that impede my ability to proceed
into a world I've yet to see
a world only I can see
because although I may not have much to eat
or a place to sleep
I refuse to allow that to deter me in the least
you see these people look, but they do not see
I on the other hand have freed my mind
and if I'm not mistaken they do say that the one eyed man is king among the blind
my name is hakeem, and I am 9
and when I'm not working, I like playing soccer
I heard about how UNICEF is supposed to help kids like me
financially
kids who struggle with a loss
but all they're good for is occupying space on the front of my soccer jersey
and even that's peeling off
what?
can I do
to improve
this situation Im in, I mean I have hopes and dreams too
what?
makes me any less than you?
what?
just try and relate
I don't ask you to donate
it probably won't reach me anyway
I simply ask that you appreciate
what you have and remember those less fortunate
when?
when is it that this war's gona end?
when
when will I know what it is that I'm trying to defend
when?
when will I stop trying to pretend
that things will get better
when
anything I've ever loved has come to and end
from my parents and siblings, to the only boy I've ever called a friend
him and I
fighting side by side
on the front lines
under a sky full of bullets that seem to never subside
one of which caught my friend right in his thigh
another in his chest
he looked me in the eye
right before I laid him to rest
you see my only friend
was killed right there and then
when
will I see my loved ones again
when
will this massacre come to an end
when
will I see an end to the hate
my name is khalid and I'm only eight
but see, I don't want your money and I don't need your pity
because you will never relate
and I will never escape
i gave up trying to retaliate
I've accepted my fate
We indulge in these frivolous occupations
and are oblivious to the situations
right across our seas
you see
empty stomachs won't feed themselves
but neither will empty hearts
so feed on this food for thought
and please, do your part