There was no escape

It was no passing phase for the thousands held at gunpoint

Digging their own graves

Or for those used to fuel the fires

Or as slaves in factories

Or those dying for an empire that would crumble to its knees

Do you see their bloodied faces when you close your eyes?

Or hear their breaking voices begging for their lives?

Kill anything that moves

Anything that breathes

Twenty-five years later wake up screaming from your dreams

The smell of burning flesh

Etched in memory

Remnants of a war that will never sleep