Two years ago, we had no words,
Because words seemed superfluous.
Branded upon our consciousness,
All we needed was the image:
Each scorched mark would remind us
Of newly discovered horror.
But, in the end, the words returned;
Our memories demanded them.
A less reliable record,
Yet devastating for all that:
Shifting, changing, containing tears
As well as anger. Thanks to words,
Truth survives in a whisper: soft,
But too loud for evil to sleep.
Really well thought out comment on the daily horrors we read about or see on the screen daily. Truth must survive, even if only whispered, but doesn't seem to be a strong enough sleeping draught to stop evil from always being wide awake, and ready to perform its horrors.
Srebrenica, Račak, Sabra Shatila, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Tiananmen Square, Rwandan Genocide, Katyn, Parwan, Shelling Hill Beach...the list is endless with plenty more room on the tombstone yet.
David
If you wish to post a comment you must login.
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Stephen Gospage
Wed 3rd Apr 2024 07:58
Thank you, David, for reminding us of the ongoing nature of such horror. Man's inhumanity of man, and especially to women and children.....
Thank you, Jennifer, for your support. Yes, the battle against evil may never be completely won, but it has to be fought.
One of the most horrible aspects of the Bucha massacre was the attempt to pass it off as a 'staged event'. See my poem from two years ago.
https://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=121913
And thanks to Nigel, Steve, Hugh, Holden, Manish, Auracle, Hélène and Tim for liking this.