Worn eyes reach daylight
Slowly count to ten
Stay still. No movement
Listen for the men

A moment of fragility
Tears down one cheek
But soft cries of “daddy”
Banish feelings so weak

Emerge from the rubble
Of a life we once knew
Together we’ll succeed
And start life anew

Richard has followed 50-Word Stories for a number of years, though generally only writes for himself.