Before They Know Poem by Muhammed Yaseen

Night gets darker, streets get cold,
Little hands shake, hearts grow old.
Schoolbags heavy, heads hang low,
Kids learn fear before they know.
Parents watch with sleepless eyes,
Truth hidden under fragile lies.
Every shadow feels too near,
Danger breathing in their ear.
Sky turns black, the birds scream loud,
Sirens cut the night like shrouds.
Footsteps echo, fast then slow,
No safe place, nowhere to go.
Back to back, they hold on tight,
Praying just to see the light.
World still smiles, blind to cries