This is war,
A cryptic whirlpool of souls and hurt
In which we have no friend but earth.
Earth! Earth! Earth!

Your breath is comforting,
Your whispers restore the breath
To such a little life I wish to cling.
My friend. My brother. My mother.

Your limbs hold me closer 
And shelter me from that maelstrom 
to a place that is familiar,
If only for ten seconds at a time.

Ten seconds to run.
Ten seconds to cry.
Ten seconds to live.
Ten seconds to hide.