1THE COST OF DIAMONDS
They came in the night
raped his sister
killed his parents
burned his house.
Roped together with the other children
he was forced to march into the bush
while his village went up in flames.
They said he was a rebel now
a soldier.
One of them.
.-.
The first day: beaten
his shoulders wrenched back until they touch.
Blood everywhere.
The second day: forced to wear the intestines
and carry the head
of his friend.
He must wear and carry his friend for two days
or they'll beat him again
worse than before.
He must slaughter people
or he won't be fed.
.-.
Out of necessity
he becomes what he once hated.
One of them.
Now he shoots people
burns their houses
and abducts their children.
Just like they did to him.
.-.
He shoots some villagers in a dried up well
a pre-dug grave.
Before he fires
a wrinkled graying man looks at him
"You don't have to live like this."
He pulls the trigger.
.-.
The words echo in his skull
You don't have to live like this.
You don't have to live like this.
You don't have to live like this.
Why does he do this?
Because they made him.
Why did they do this?
Because soldiers before them made them.
Why did this start?
Over a few diamonds long ground up into dust.
They aren't his diamonds.
They'll never be his diamonds.
He strips off the uniform
throws away the gun
and walks out of the bush
free.