Photo from: http://livesstrong.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html
From a hilltop outside of Bagdad sits Samir. He watches the city everyday; from the time his father goes on duty until he is home at dusk. The city was never a completely safe place, but now, since the Americans have come men on patrol don’t always come back. Before, when Saddam was in charge men were safe if they obeyed the rules. An iron fist, yes, but one that kept things relatively safe and sane.
Samir admired his father. His father was a soldier, a policeman, who was helping to make things better for others. Because of this he was never safe. There are too many people out there who didn’t want things to change or hate the Americans so much they hate anyone who works with them. These peacekeepers are targets for hate. Samir hopes that someday there will be freedom for his people but he isn’t sure that he values that above his father’s life.
Two of Samir’s friends had lost their fathers already. They had to move into their uncle’s homes. It isn’t too bad but maybe in the future the families could have stayed on their own. A time Samir’s mother dreams of where she can safely walk the streets and work to earn money for her family. It still isn’t safe in most places for women to walk alone.
A loud noise jars Samir from his thoughts. A bomb went off in the city. He couldn’t remember what section of town his father was patrolling. It could have been anywhere. Why didn’t he listen more closely to his father when he was leaving this morning? His fears always grew after a bomb, as fast as the dust-filled cloud of smoke that billowed out over the explosions. It was too early in the day to worry.
Samir sat and watched, hearing the distant wailing of sirens and screams. His stomach grew tighter with apprehension. Something bothered him about this explosion although he couldn’t figure out why. He needed to do something to take his mind off of the subject but he couldn’t bring himself to move. His legs just stayed there no matter how much he willed them to push him up and thrust his body towards the house. The legs stayed numb.
As the time passed the smoke dissipated and let the city begin to look normal again. This is the way it always goes starting with one quick moment of panic, followed by fear, and finally acceptance. It is getting better, safer even, but how many lives need to be lost so that everyone can be safe?
The time passes slowly and sun is slowly lowering into the horizon. Samir keeps a watchful eye towards the road waiting for any figure that resembles his father to appear. He knows deep down that his father is probably helping others and will be home late, but still anticipates a surprise. As the darkness overtakes Samir his mother calls him inside for dinner. Samir doesn’t want to leave but mustn’t disobey, he doesn’t want to leave site of the road. Where his father should be.
