"Brainstorm" oil and mixed media on wood panel by Randall LaGro, photo courtesy of the Blue Rain Gallery, Taos, New Mexico.
The Poetry Thursday prompt is "if these walls could talk." This poem is dedicated to the American and British soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq, as well as the innocent Iraqis killed.
If these walls could talk, they'd tell
about the lies and despair
and unanswered prayers:
Impotent fury
when the Twin Towers fell
and so many died
Inertia and incompetence
as Hurricane Katrina devastated
a major port city
Delusion and denial
targeting Saddam Hussein
while bin Laden roams free
Delusion and denial
planning Rumsfeld's "shock and awe" war
despite no real evidence
Delusion and denial
when old friends and allies turn away
in disappointment and disgust
Delusion and denial
ignoring the Arab-Israeli conflict
while the region smoulders with rage
Delusion and denial
calling for Palestinian elections
but resisting voters' choice
Delusion and denial
when Israel and Hezbollah
sacrifice Lebanon as a battleground
Delusion and denial
while civil war divides Iraq
innocents slaughtered daily
Delusion and denial
as temperatures rise and icebergs melt
SOS signals of global warming
Delusion and denial
when supporters with feet of clay
fall by the wayside, charlatans exposed
Surprise, yet stubborn resolve
when the American people
protest and vote for change
If the Oval Office walls could talk...*
*(A few people might lose their jobs!)
Definitely a poem for the history books...by a politically astute author! Well done! Enjoyable!
Peace
Posted by: giggles | 01 December 2006 at 13:03
Tara,
Your command of language makes me envious. And I'm in awe of how you keep your finger on the pulse of world affairs.
You're right though. A problem must be acknowledged before it can be repaired.
rel
Posted by: rel | 30 November 2006 at 22:56
So TRUE!!
Posted by: Marilyn | 30 November 2006 at 04:15
Amen Sister! Well put. Thanks for sharing a wonderful spin on this week's theme.
Dennis
Posted by: Dennis Tkon | 29 November 2006 at 22:15
Yes, if those walls could talk I'm sure a few heads would roll!
Great poem, as always I am impressed by your ability to be a political poet. :)
Posted by: Ali la Loca | 29 November 2006 at 10:23
strong. beautifully written. Thank you again Tara!
Posted by: Catalina | 29 November 2006 at 07:59
if the 'oval office' walls could talk - oh my God. what has been said and discussed in there? the mind boggles.
Posted by: miss*R | 29 November 2006 at 06:32
Neatly put and succinctly told.
Jimmy Carter is my hero. He has been on TV with his latest book and he is answering his critics brilliantly. Truly an elder statesman with brains and compassion.
Posted by: Colette | 29 November 2006 at 06:13
You have said it all..I applaude YOU!
The image is very haunting it speaks volumes!
Posted by: naturegirl | 29 November 2006 at 04:35
Great perspective! I love the repetition of delusion and denial.
Posted by: Emily | 29 November 2006 at 03:23
Tara,
I like this on first glance. I want to reread and digest the thoughts you've put forth here a little longer. I'll reserve my comment 'til Thurs. (God willing.)
a la prochaine,
rel
Posted by: rel | 29 November 2006 at 03:16
You have such a way with words, Tara! There has been much delusion and denial for our country for some time, unfortunately. I hope we can see our way more clearly soon.
Posted by: tinker | 29 November 2006 at 02:05
Very lovely, a wonderful tribute.
Posted by: twitches | 29 November 2006 at 01:35
how could have we not gone to these poor, trodden-on peoples, to rid them of tyrant Hussein? - - "man's inhumanity to man."
love this poem, so true, so filled with angst, yet hope.
Thank you tara for sharing this with us.
blessings,
sage
Posted by: sage | 28 November 2006 at 23:50
The style you chose for these vital concerns really emphasizes their importance...I especially like the repetition of "delusion and denial." Bravo!
(btw...got home a short while ago..am about to take a short nap and then stay up to a "normal" bedtime as I was so wisely advised to do :-)
Posted by: susan | 28 November 2006 at 22:06
Lots of passion in this poem. I was wondering where the walls were until I got to the last line.
I imagine it's not easy being an American in Europe during such an unpopular war.
Posted by: my backyard | 28 November 2006 at 20:56
What an interesting perspective you must have from Paris...and what an interesting perspective those walls in the Oval Office must have as well! Great idea with an important message. Thank you.
Posted by: G | 28 November 2006 at 20:41
As usual a great poem, and I am not even into poetry!
By the way, I do not quite agree with the current outcry and comparison to WW2 which was a global war that lasted 6 years. I know, America joined in late but it nonetheless spent preceeding years preparing for the war. And it was America's involvement which, despite and because of Hiroshima, helped end WW2. Iraq is a very different, albeit equally horrifying, kettle of fish.
This is a terribly complex and often scary world we live in. But rather than rely on politicians to save us I believe that the key lies with us taking responsibility for ourselves and starting to be accountable for our own actions, start living what we preach. Especially the latter: the other night we were woken up at 2am by loud chanting and drumming outside our bedroom window. It was a peace parade! Doesn't peace start with consideration and respect for others? I saw little evidence of either that night.
Anyway, you are doing a great job in keeping up the awareness of these important issues, but I ask you: how would you do things differently? How would you resolve Iraq? Handle the increasing divide between the Muslim world and ours? Encourage cleaner fuel and a healthier environment? How do you get people involved in this so that we can really make a difference? How do you convert the emotional outcries into constructive action? Is a change of government all we need? What can we do as individuals in the meantime?
Posted by: Kerstin | 28 November 2006 at 20:27
BRILLIANT!! Tara, you put a strong voice to the delusion and denial of those responsible for ill-conceived policies and actions. Thank you. Deborah
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 28 November 2006 at 19:05