Day 245

Look closely:  these children
are watching a soccer game.
They’re gathered in a room
with a laptop,  they’re jumping 
up and down, cheering loudly, calling out
the names of the players.  Look
carefully:  see how thin
their arms are, their faces.  The room
they are in has no
furniture, only a table
that holds the laptop.  No
windows. Look again: Can you see
how tired these children are, how hungry?
And still they are jumping:  a goal
was just scored, another!  See the joy
in their hollowed eyes.  See
their small bodies, threaded
with death and fervor.