For Breznev Poem by Liv Mealone

I saw you holding on to the rails
A picture of hurting and unshed tears
It breaks my heart, seeing you so lost
If only there's something I could do.

I'd like to hear your laughter again
To see you smile without the pain
If only I can take the blame
I'd do so if joy, you'll gain.

If only I can take your pain
Make your sun shine with the rain
To add more colors to your rainbow
And never let sorrow touch your brow.

If only I could light your fire
Wipe your hurts and never cry
If only I could bring him back
If only...


Breznev is my 9 year old cousin whose dad (a policeman) was murdered three years ago. (He is the youngest among a brood of six, an answer to so much prayer and waiting for my uncle who longs for a son after his wife bore him 5 girls.) I always feel the lost when I look at him. My heart cries out for the years lost to him forever; years that he should have been playing basketball with his dad, for the wild boars that he and his dad should have been bringing home to his mom, from a week of hunting deep in the Bandila Mountains. Breznev should have been growing up happy and protected with his dad by his side. But those years and dreams have been snuffed out from him.

(*May 'you' rot in Bilibid.)