On Earth, We Are Briefly Strong!

 

He didn’t know exactly where he was. His father had died. He grieved, but never showed it; he had to be strong. A bus arrived; he had been expecting it – people, lots of people arrived. He knew them, but didn’t know who they were! The lockdown was still in place, and all of a sudden they were alone. They mourned privately, away from the ‘Gaze’ of the world – what a gem!

Somewhere in a post-apocalyptic world, he didn’t know where his brother was at. His mother had been electrocuted – accidentally - or so she had claimed, but she survived. Now she had to go her own way, and so she did. Now it was just him and his little niece. They made their way through desolated streets. “Apui” [her way of saying Apapui] she suddenly exclaimed. He looked at her weary face – sweet, innocent and full of optimism.  “Just a little longer Bawihte, we’re almost there,” he told her as he piggybacked her to sleep. Suddenly, a familiar face in a tux appeared out of nowhere and smiled at them, “Your father died because he rebelled against the Gaze”. He walked up to the man, looked him square in the eyes, and then whispered in his ear “I rebelled against the Gaze and I’m still standing. Where’s the Gaze now?” The man smiled. Out of nowhere, a violent mob came for them, he fought back, and he won – he was strong.

Everything had overgrown and the streets had become deep deep woods. They crawled and climbed their way; just a couple of turns now, they were almost there - home – or at least where home used to be. Her little face lit up as they made their way through the now thickets that still evoked a sense of familiarity. “Apui we’re almost there” - she talked and smiled at the prospect of comfort, security and plenitude – a youthful naivety clinging on to the idea of a home in a post-apocalyptic world. But behind her smiles were tears as she started to reminisce; she missed family, but there was nothing he could do. He felt something in his eyes as he held her hands, but he did not cry – he had to be strong.

Step by step, heart to heart

Left right left, we all fall down

Like toy soldiers

Bit by bit, torn apart

We never win but the battle wages on

For toy soldiers

~Eminem

Like Toy Soldiers

Note: The title is copied [and modified] from Ocean Voung.