Born Into Death | Teen Ink

Born Into Death

May 3, 2016
By helen_ikonic GOLD, Toronto, Ontario
helen_ikonic GOLD, Toronto, Ontario
10 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." -Bill Gates

"Don't let anyone ever make you feel like you don't deserve what you want. Go for it." -10 Things I Hate About You (1999)


While crossing the border,
While fighting for freedom,
Momma couldn’t hold on no more.

 

Looking back at the militants;
The planes, the bombs,
The smoke from above,
She pushed with all might.

 

And as I stuck my head out,
She wept for what seemed
To be despair, not joy.

 

For she could’ve sworn that I had just
Inhaled my first breath
As a cloud of dark war –
Of toxicity, of tears,
Of calamity, of conflict.

 

Dawning one second later,
The chance of my death
Surged fivefold, tenfold.
As did that of the other 16 mil’ babes.


The author's comments:

Every year, thousands of female refugees flee while pregnant. There are several instances whereby they must give birth while on the run, endangering the lives of their babies and themselves. Most of these births take place without medical assistance, increasing the risks involved for both mother and baby.


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This article has 1 comment.


on Aug. 20 2016 at 12:08 am
pineappler03 SILVER, Waterford, Connecticut
6 articles 1 photo 61 comments
I love how this poem's story is different from most poems, but also focused on an actual situation. Not only did you explain what the poems about, but you've managed to put the reader into the eyes of a person experiencing this real life situation. Amazing work!