Illusion I
Virgin paper—a soldier
Writes a glorious poem in blood-ink.
Later crumpled
Tear-blotted,
Torn and scattered
(Like his own body),
After Victory is declared.
Illusion II (inspired by Siegfried Sassoon’s “Survivors”)
Men who went out to battle, grim and glad;
Children, with eyes that hate you, broken and mad.
Women in waiting
Each day—a year
That shrunk life
To anguish and fear.
Behind every living soldier
A body trails.
Tears of victory
Blot a shadowy history!
These poems are part of our unfolding Citizens against War series of literature and art, initiated in the spirit of listening: to our poets, artists, fellow citizens, against war and warmongering.
Image © Wifredo Lam, 'La Fiancée de Kiriwina', via WikiArt ; poems © Samreen Sajeda.
