i promise, i will try

my earth
does not deserve the pain
i pull the blanket, gently
over her eyes

when the edges of the sky
gleam orange, bright
a soft introduction to the night
i pray that peace
is all we find

instead of sleep
i am dreaming
of hands, held
clasped in each other
heads buried
hair entangled
the warmth of your face against mine
the sweetness of our borrowed time

there is something large
about caring
almost daring
in a world that pushes
for nonchalance
the earth looks at me
smiles, sighs
and replies

not a chance.

and my window
doesn’t quite close
since the handle broke
when I lay down my head
the wind seeps through the gap
and brushes my cheek
kind, meek
i almost believe
there is goodness in me

my sister has dyed her hair blue
despite everyone who told her not to
and I admire her desire
to be exactly who she is
that kind of confidence
cannot miss
i study my words
the diluted behaviour
lack of flavour
i hug my sister tight
swipe my hand across
the back of her hair
and ask

how does it feel?
how are you so sure?
how do you fight?

she tells me
courage does not come
in a box of hair dye

i promise her
i will try
and the next time we fight
she looks at me with knowing eyes
even in the wrongs
we learn to be right
especially in the wrongs
we learn to be right

in the endless
wars
hatred
battles we are losing
violence we are choosing
in the clenched fists
broken teeth
in the wrongs and the rights
we ache to be free
we plead for peace

so when the world
tucks herself in
giggles as I place
my palms over her eyes
she does not feel
the need to cry
i am surprised
i ask her

why?
in all of this pain
how do you stay light?

she tells me
peace does not come
from closed eyes
but if we try
empty our minds
of the blinding spite
and live a life that is kind
peace will want
To hold our hands

i promise her
i will try
and the next time
the edges of the earth
glow orange, bright
preparing for night
i don’t try to close her eyes

i sit, breathe
empty my mind

i try to be kind

i am hoping
that peace
will someday be
something I find.

01:55am - 19/02/26 

i should have slept, but this one was pulling at me. i could not close my eyes until it was written.