Above them the daytime skies are filled with the roar of warplanes
The night is lit by the blast of explosions
In and amongst this destruction
Families. women and children survive.
The children comb
Through the ruins for their belongings
For toys, for school textbooks, for scraps of food and photos of life
Life before war arrived
They express their gratefulness
They are breathing
They are alive
They are hope.

I walk into the space known as the “warm space”.
A welcoming space
Offering refreshments and cup a soup.
Where individuals and families can meet up safely.
Parents supervise their children doing homework
All sockets are in use with telephones, tablets and computer plugged in.
I overhear snippets of conversations.
I feel a sense of belonging, a sense of community.
With the rise in energy prices and the return of the colder weather
I am grateful that I can be part of this warm space
Until 7.30pm
When it is closing time
Until the next day.