Cafer Zorba War

War

by Cafer Zorba

Everything is for my family! I remember my daughter running around the house with a smile that gives everyone energy and her voice was like the best sound in the world. However, the memory of her sweet smell is no longer in my nose anymore because I am here right in the middle of the war, fighting for their future and the smell of the mud clings to my nostrils which makes me forget her smell.

I hold a flask of tepid liquid which only tastes of mud and water. My hands are frozen from an angry wind and my feet are all covered in wounds by the sticky mud that is everywhere in the trench and the stench of the mud and the rotting clothes fills nostrils. The loss of my soldier friends reminds me that my destiny is not so different from theirs and a life is fragile and can end at any time, especially, here where I am every day. It’s only a matter of time before I die from blood poisoning from one of my wounds. I remember my friend Jack drowning in the first gas attack. He plunged at me, guttering, choking, drowning and all I could do is watch the white eyes writhing in his face, his hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin.

Did you hear about Emily who comes every day to bring water? Clear, fresh, pure water just like she is. The water and Emily always turn the darkness of the trench to sunlight. She is the brightest moment of my day. Her dazzling smile with her red scarf that reminds me of my daughter. I hope my daughter is wearing her scarf to stay strong against this wind as well. I won’t give up because I want to see Emily and be reminded of my daughter which makes me strong every day.