My Answer [Free Verse]

I hadn't known, oh I hadn’t known……

Today, my brother asked me a question

“When faced with life or death, when confronted with a choice, what would you do?”

I walked away without giving him an answer, oh; I knew what it would be

I just didn't think it was important, I didn’t think it mattered

I didn't realize just how wrong I was

Now standing here, the man has his gun to my chest

I remembered my brother’s words, “When faced with a choice……”

And I let a tear fall down my cheek, because I saw in the corner,

Held by a second man, my brother, tears on his cheeks as well

And the silent memory of his question filling his eyes

He knew my answer; he could see it on my face, in my eyes

He knew he would lose me today, I knew I would lose him

Sacrifice myself; I would do over and over, to save my family

Because the man had given me a choice, he has faced me with death

Save myself, or die for my family

I closed my eyes and let the words of a song flit through my mind

If today was your last day, and tomorrow was too late

I opened my tear filled eyes, and looked at my sister,

Small, terrified, young and helpless, I felt sadness as I saw her face

She knew my answer as well

I looked to my parents, their faces stricken in grief and fear,

Their eyes begged of me ‘no’

But I knew that they understood, I couldn’t

I couldn’t let it happen, today was my last day

Tomorrow was too late, and I had chosen

I ignored the gun, to look the man in the eyes

They were filled with hate and anger, turmoil and chaos

He had asked me to choose, die for my family

Or save myself and choose someone else

He saw my answer in my eyes, and he fired