You passed a man in the street

He was beating his dog

The dog was cowed; its welts bled; its back broken

You said “Someone should do something”

And you did nothing.

 

You came upon a soldier

He was raping a young girl

She pleaded and cried for her mother

Then she was silent

You said “Someone should do something”

And you did nothing.

 

You watched a group of men

They were kicking a child

He shielded his head but they stamped on his skull

As he lay on the ground

You said “Someone should do something”

And you did nothing.

 

You spoke to an old Jew who survived Auschwitz

He said to you,

“Why did you not bomb the concentration camps?

Some of us would have survived.

But you did nothing”

 

You watched an evil man, mighty in his own land,

Gas his own people.

They twisted and twitched and vomited in their death throes

You said “Someone should do something”

And this time you did do something

You wrung your hands and said,

“Someone should do something”.

 

The wreak of Bush and Blair

Hangs heavy in the air

As little men conduct analysis;

“Do nothing.  Let’s not rush.

Remember Blair and Bush”

Endorsing death by their paralysis;

Which helps Assad decide

To repeat this genocide

And brings you one step nearer to your shame;

You may give succour, quarter

“Spectating Assad’s slaughter”

Don’t ever think you do so “in my name”.