I lied to you.

When missiles struck
places near my home,
when I was packing
essentials to run away,
when I drove through highways
while bombings happened.

When the drones attacked homes
and the sky filled with smoke,
when I saw rocket fire
heading toward my building.

I lied.

When I was shivering with fear
and hiding in the basement,
when I couldn’t sleep all night
due to the screaming sirens.

When I spoke to you
and thought maybe
we couldn’t see each other
one more time.
When I moved from one place
to another
to stay alive.

I lied to you, my love.
I lied unapologetically
when I told you I was safe here
and nothing was happening nearby.

I lied to you because I love you.
I am sorry.

I want you to stay
in peace and calm,
so I can keep running
to come back to you.