BESLAN

by MARIE DELGADO TRAVIS
www.mariedelgadotravis.com
www.lulu.com/marilu

Tonight I will hold you, Alana,
And keep you warm.

You were the smartest girl
In your class and know the
Word “terrorist” does not exist
In a third grader’s vocabulary.

I will hold you tonight,
Pretty little girl in pigtails,
Long chestnut-brown hair
And gentle eyes.

Your mother cries that
She did not protect you.
But you realize she was
Not given that choice.

The hostage-takers – who
Said they believed in God –
Would let her leave with
Only one of her children.

You understand your
Baby sister,
Not yet two,
Wasn’t nearly
As clever as you.

I will hold you in my arms
And sing you lullabies.

Brave nine year-old.

The captors -- who
Said they fought for
Freedom – shot you
As you tried to escape.

Your apartment building
Steps from the school.
In your room, favorite
Games and books.

I will hold you, child
And rock you gently.

Sweet little girl.

You know that red is
The color of crayons
And toy balloons,
Not the splatter of
Children’s blood.

I will hold you
Tonight, Alana,
And in my own way,
Keep you alive.

We’ll play
Dolls together.

Matrushka –

Doll within doll
Within...