October’s Ashes

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Through smoky dawn,
a soldier stands,
in Israel’s land.

Courage demands,
he treads on ashes,
October’s ashes,
the fallen’s remains.

With each step, he tastes their pain.
October seventh,
a day of Terror.

Burned bodies,
a somber sight.
He fights through the barricades and fire.

A cigarette’s glow
in dim light.
Ashes on his tongue,
He tastes them.
Scorched bodies.

He finds Thai workers,
hidden away,
Fearful of being taken,
Or killed in friendly fire.

Determined to win,
he marches on.

Through pain
and sorrow,
he stands tall.
An Israeli soldier answered the call.

October’s ashes,
Silent cries,
He rises, unwavering.
October’s ashes, he treads with care.
A soldier’s journey, a story to share.

Estee Olga Shapiro

I'm a poet from Ashkelon. I live in Ramat Gan with my fiancé, who enlisted as a combat-reserve soldier on October 7th. My writing is deeply influenced by the realities of conflict and the strength required to endure it. Through poetry, I reflect on the heavy burden of war, the personal sacrifices made by those we love, and the quiet resilience that carries us forward. My work often explores the emotional landscape of these experiences; I paint a picture of the aftermath of terror and the lingering pain. I write to honor the stories of those who serve, to make sense of the scars left behind, and to remind myself—and my readers—that even in the darkest times, there is still light to be found.