An Assault on Culture

 

Culture forms an integral part of a nation's identity.

It speaks of a people and who they are.

It encourages creativity, enthusiasm and joy.

A source of pride for all to enjoy.

It says more than the national flag.

As it springs forth from the soul of the people.

Through music, literature, art, dance and sculpture.

A pattern emerges of who a people are, where they are from.

Landscapes are painted, poems recited and music composed.

To destroy a nation its culture must be destroyed.

Bomb a University is a good start,

then bomb a public library,

then bomb a cultural centre,

a language school,

destroy a printing press,

a mosque, church or temple.

With such destruction the artists, writers and poets are next.

These are those who advance and promote culture.

In Gaza a poet Refaat Alareer was mudered,

a fellow poet Mosab Abu Toha was abducted,

stripped naked and beaten. 

He has escaped with his family to Egypt.

Journalists, too many to mention have been slaughtered.

A culture is being eradicated.

The heart beat of a nation and its people

will soon have no identity.