to all those lost 2/13/91 4:30 a.m.
by the u.s. fighter bombing of a civilian shelter

where does this war begin
who pulled the pin
point bombing which makes truth a lie
so many people die
there's no return from genocide
no place for the poor to hide
so when justice comes let the poor decide
where this war began
blood of children warm red ran
in this slaughter called "american"
where did his soul break
who gave the order drew a line
in sand, tied all our lives to the stake
"collateral damage" is an accountable mistake
of missiles and mechanized screaming birds
against a living language of the oldest words
against the ancient mother of civilization
who loving people loves no nation

 

 

 

atelier


poem copyright © 1991 by john bart gerald
image © 1991, by julie maas
gerald and maas night's lantern
posted jan.15, 2003
re-posted aug. 15, 2008