To My Little Sister Who Doesn’t Understand

To my little sister who doesn’t understand:

Today I wrote an article

But the image of their bodies

Is not on the paper

In the news report: Israel bombs four Palestinian children playing soccer on the beach

You already know

That liquid nourishes, nurtures,

But one day you will learn:

There are also weapons that rain

I wonder when you will notice

Tears are made of water too.

When you ran to me

With an all too gullible grin

Armed

With your neon orange

Army blaster

I want you to know

That toy is no toy

Water is not just water

I ask you,

What is violence by another name?

Game?

You’re ten years old and not yet ready to stay home alone.

Do you understand what it means when I say:

There are Palestinian toddlers older than I am?

To my little sister who doesn’t understand:

When I grow up I want to live.

When I grow up I want to live.

When I grow up I want to live.