I hear the thwackOf knife on woodAnd my blood pressure risesAnd I knowYes, I know thatMy neighbour(Whom we have nicknamedThe Rogue)Is hacking at our trees
Every yearOn the anniversaryOf their weddingThose storiesWould be revisited
Not just familyBut an ever-wideningCircle of friendsWould hear ofAppa’s first…
Last nightWe caught up with Old friendsAfter ages:The conversation flowedLike the wineWhat each of the kidsWere up toWhat each of us fourWere up toAnd on and on and on
The backers of the genocideHave invitedThe genocidaire-in-chiefTo speak to them:The board ofGenocide CorpMeeting with their CEO
They are likelyCommitting War CrimesButWe can’t be sureSoWe can keep supplying themWith weapons(Defensive weapons, mind you)UntilWe are sure they areCommitting War CrimesAnd even thenWe can’t be sureThat they areCommitting War CrimesWith the weapons we supplied(Defensive weapons, mind you)So…
As we lie awakeIn bed at nightOur thoughts go outTo our sons:Is the older one taking careTo stay warm?It is cold where he isAnd when he is engrossed in work…Is the younger oneDrinking enough water In this Heat Wave?Will he remember toStay well hydratedIn the run-up to His endsem…
The moral clarity Of the youngHas cut rapier-likeThrough the double-speakAnd intentional obfuscationOf those in charge
To be ableTo empathise with the sufferingOf people you cannot seeTo grieve for a child, a parentA brother, a sisterNot your ownTo try to shine a lightOn violence far awayEven as you face violenceHere and nowTo do…
The more I writeThe less I am readThe more the numbersComing out of GazaThe more the numbnessIn the world outside
The machine wouldHave us believe thatYou and I are small cogsReplaceableOf no consequenceIn the scheme of things