i got to bed at night

with blood on my hands

a gun on my nightstand

and a tattooed tear on my face

i am the gang member.

i go to bed at night

after locking the doors five times

for fear he will return

and hurt my children

i am the abused mother.

i go to bed at night

staring at numbers

wishing i still had my family

remembering the camps

i am the halocaust survivor.

i am all the people

who survived

i am all the people

who go to bed at night

and wake up in the morning.