As our war rages on, I’m caught in a crossfire.

One side shrieks its anthem of misguided hope.

The other, facing reality’s certain dread head on.

While I, a teenager caught in the midst of battle, seek refuge.

The children clash swords of dispute, while adults fire bullets of truth,

While both of them bleed clashing philosophies.

I look over my bruised shoulder to see two survivors fighting,

A dad and his daughter.

Seeping broken putrid alcohol,

She breaks his shield: 

With longing willful tears,

He slices open her hand with a dagger —

Made of twenty dollar bills.

She cracks each knife with bloodied talent and dreams.

The tainted child lashes out with ambitious ferocity:

An untamable beast.

Her father calmly deflecting every futile attempt, 

with unreachable expectations and exploitation.

As the war rages on,

What choice do I have?