CURSE

 In A Time of Endless War

Curse?

A child's tears before the blows fall

In Mariupol or Khan Younis.

These laughing soldiers with their

teeth reeking of human flesh.

This small unborn baby, already emaciated.

A hundred thousand body parts stored in the

speechless rubble.

Another child's terror drowning in daylight.

 

Curse is now the prayer promised

by both diplomats and presidents with

their handshakes that have starved thousands.

 

Curse is a name for the silence left

after all decent tongues are ripped out

and replaced with a madman's microphone.

 

Curse?

These poisoned feasts of propaganda

the prime minister prepares for a famished people.

Curse them all / Mallacht Dé ort

Go dteachta na bréachra thú / May their lies

choke them!

 

CURSE. In A Time of Endless War (Full Poem)

 

“This war is a war on children. It is a war on their childhood and their future,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, who described as “staggering” the latest Gaza health authority data indicating that at least 12,300 youngsters have died in the enclave in the last four months, compared with 12,193 globally between 2019 and 2022." United Nations - 13, March 2024

 

 

Irish potato "Famine" (depicted - 1849)

 

"Once, they said, it was better to

light a candle than curse the darkness.

 

Then the rockets came."

 

GLOBAL RIGHTS - Human Rights