A Response to Ilya Kaminsky's "We Lived Happily During the War"

You say we lived happily during the war

as if it was a sin

As if, in the heat and fire of the end, we

are not to relish in the good

That, when the only thing we can do is protest, 

our protests will never be enough

That, when the world is always at war with itself,

We are never allowed to actually live 

To live through this endless cycle

To live as part of humanity

Does it mean we are not allowed to cherish 

the little luxuries that seem to be a kind of

Mercy

That, because our species is violent, we are not 

afforded kindness?

But, forgive me if you must, what are we supposed to do

when around our bed, the world is falling

Each invisible house after the next

should we not look to the sunrise?

Lay in bed, prepare for the coming day

when in these great streets of money

It is all we can do

Must we deprive ourselves of light

because somewhere else, the sky is darker?

So yes, I lived happily during the war

I will not deny myself the chance to

avoid falling with them