Mariupol

Their city is in flames,
And my food is being served to me on a silver plate
"Be careful, it's hot"
And I'm warned
That all I have to do is wait a little bit until it cools down
And their city is in flames
And they're looking for a place to run
And the mother grabs her little boy's hand and says "don't let go, hold your breath"
And the waitress asks how my food is tasting,
And if there's anything she can do
And I'm wondering the same thing
While their city is in flames
And there are people on the ground covered in ash
And the mother loses her little boy
And I lose my appetite
And I'm being asked,
"Do you need a to-go box?"
Their city is in flames and there's nowhere for them to go
And the waiters are singing
"Happy birthday to you"
It is my birthday but it is not happy
And they tell me to blow out my candle and make a wish
And I know that I can easily make this small flame go away with a single breath
But I still take as long as I can
As if I'm not helplessly sitting here
Celebrating being alive for another year
While their city
Is in flames

-Carlie Collins