{"id":309,"date":"2021-06-01T18:28:11","date_gmt":"2021-06-01T18:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/?p=309"},"modified":"2021-06-01T18:28:13","modified_gmt":"2021-06-01T18:28:13","slug":"this-poem-was-written-on-22-april-2002-in-the-wake-of-palestine-being-bombarded-by-isreal-and-the-invasion-of-iraq","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/?p=309","title":{"rendered":"This poem was written on 22 April 2002, in the wake of Palestine being bombarded by Isreal and the invasion of Iraq."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A poem for Palestine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This world which has conceived<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So much misery<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her bloated womb<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Must be blown up by<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A suicide bomber<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An American bomber<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An English bomer<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sa\u2019adam Hossein\u2019s<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weapons of mass destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those humans<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who grew up<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the gas chambers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the Auschwitz camps<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Must be frozen enmasse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our opaque eyes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">which stare at the TV screens<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Day and night<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In disbelief<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In horrid<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fear<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In indifference<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In admiration<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the scale of destruction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the holocaust<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of olive groves<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And orange groves<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Must be washed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In clean, cool waters<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of an unpolluted<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Highland spring<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In planet Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our brains<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Entangled<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the barbed wires<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of words<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humanity, justice, retribution<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brotherhood, sisterhood<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compassion, peace<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a steel dictionary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not comprehend<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The scale of human savagery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our hearts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our machine-made hearts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Synthetic-made,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nylon-made hearts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ache no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And our opaque eyes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which look for silk<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a steel dictionary<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not see anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And our thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Swim in pools of blood<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a world with no eyesight<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No heartache<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sterile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our machine-made thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Media-made thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Corrupt thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">George W. Bush-made thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blairite-made thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thatcherite-made thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Made in the civilised world<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thoughts which are not allowed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To think of a world<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Which overnight<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Creates foes from anonymity<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foes who were not terrorists<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundamentalists<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suicide bombers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When on this side,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foes, who once<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the other side,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aim to destroy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The civilised world<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The birthplace of<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The atom bomb<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weapons of mass destruction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The centre of mass destruction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And barbed wires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And Him, who<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One cool summer night<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Turned from a tamed scholar<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fully equipped<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fully trained with American weaponry<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Into a foe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And brought with him<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Down the whole world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And I, who in normal circumstances<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">am a normal, below average cirtizen<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is cornered to make friends<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With George W. Bush<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And ally with him<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or declared his enemy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And eligible for destruction<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And my synthetic thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Machine-made thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are ordered to shape<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To decide and cast vote<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For one candidate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Robert Mogabe<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or Robert Mogabeh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And my eyes are ordered not to see<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And not to register<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The haolocaust of Palestine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the refugee camps<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the woman<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who is a refugee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her own home<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who scatters dead soil<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On her head and wails<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For her son<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whom she cannot marry off<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And whom, he would not<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bring her grandchildren<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And whose naighbours<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have been massacred enmasse<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By the fully trained<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Survivors of the concentration camps<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those who are not victims<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No more<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But occupiers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Murderers of<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Olive groves<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And orange groves<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the subterranean waters<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And foetuses in the womb<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of every Palestinian woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And my tamed mind<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is ordered<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get ready for the timing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When, after a barbeque<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the White House<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">George W. Bush<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a jolly mood<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Decides to call<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Right Honourable Tony Brair<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To both agree<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the timing<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To bomb the Iraqi people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">*<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Oh, God<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From wherever you are<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please demand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That your Messangers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christ, Moses and Mohammad<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Convene their general assembly<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And give their followers<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hearts to feel<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eyes to see<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brains to think<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Order them to add<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A clause in their declaration<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aimed at George W. Bush<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To soften his stand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To let me decide between<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Him and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tony Brair<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Him and<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Margaret Thacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Him and Atiel Sharon<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benjamin Netynyahu<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Him and Sa\u2019adam Hossein<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Him and Khomeini<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;22 April 2002<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A poem for Palestine This world which has conceived So much misery In her bloated womb Must be blown up by A suicide bomber An American bomber An English bomer Or Sa\u2019adam Hossein\u2019s Weapons&#46;&#46;&#46;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-poetry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=309"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":310,"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309\/revisions\/310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/rouhi-shafii.com\/en\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}