THE WITNESS

 

amidst the dead,

those waiting to die,

its height surpassing

the crossed swords,

the ziggurats,

overlooking the Tigris

flowing red and

the xeric landscapes

beyond its banks,

an even sadder

palm tree stands with

its palms shredded

by gloom,

its trunk blackened

by the dried blood

of children spilled

by demoniac extremists

who eulogize the fallacies

of contrived divinities,

by nefariously obsequious

politicians effusively

touting ostensible

policies while insidious

jaundiced knowledge

looms menacingly.

Amidst this dying

world, an even sadder

palm tree stands

its shrinking dates

like diseased eyes

witnessing nothing.

Reviews

[Brett Campaigne]

the cradle of civilization, it is.

[Siddartha Beth Pierce]

Wow, what a powerful write. There are so many lessons to be learned by this piece. A moving work indeed. To witness such atrocities is unbelievable to me - even nature can't believe it - it seems. Thank you for writing it.
Light,
Siddartha