Ode To A Wartorn Land
I have thought a lot about war, and why it happens. Please read some of my war poems.
In Palestine early feet were Canaanites
Archaeologists study ancient Ugarit rights
As Cananaum, scholars recall that land
Of cana’ani, their word for a merchant
Jericho City where civilisation started
Mankind’s famed fountain for selling salt
Bronze-Age Jericho’s walls reached heaven
So massive that no man ever scaled them
Across River Jordan hungry people hunting
Under Joshua’s flapping standard, besieging
Soldiers man the city walls, arrows flying!
Smoke and screaming everywhere, hear dying
Finally, a breach is made! Jericho undone!
Ancient texts speak of battles Joshua won
On Vespasian and Titus no lessons were lost
Rome destroyed Jerusalem, who knows the cost?
British UN mandate plagued by fierce Irgun
From King David Hotel many floors were blown!
David Ben Gurion declares Israel’s existence
Arab states contest with military insistence!
Israeli military heroes, legend. A state born
Arab countries thrice defeated, a truce worn
Peace of Olmert and Hamas shelled on Gaza beach
Beit Lahia’s massacre put accord beyond reach
Hezbollah capture soldiers, Israel distraught!
Over history’s myriad issues battles are fought
The tribes of Israel and Palestine are many
You imagine peace! Personally, I don’t see any!
Patrick Mackeown, July 2006
Picture: Sergio Venturi
