Freedom Granted? Poem by Mehreen Tahir

Rescued,
yet still in shackles,
invisible,
but existing still.

They came with a promise,
to save us,
grant us liberty and freedom,
and get rid of the tyrants,
making our country safe again.

Time has passed,
wars have ended,
and the ‘objective’ has been achieved.
The conquerors depart,
some stay,
but at least they have a choice.

I look at my children,
and try to answer the question in their eyes,
“Is the world a better place,
a safer place? ”
I look around me,
and I see the truth they cannot,
I know,
we have lost again...