-painting by Fernando Botero, from his series on Abu Ghraib
"But extend your hand and strike his bone and his flesh, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!” (Job 2:5 NET)
Let me bring you the news today,
after wandering this dirt ball for aeons.
Tie a man naked and expose him
to cold stones and iron routine,
dress him in women's clothes, piss
on his face and make him shit
in front of you. That'll turn anyone
against himself, his family, his God.
I have nothing more to accuse you
than this: you'll grieve alligator tears
for your neighbor, your parents,
your child. But when the boot grinds
your face and dogs gnaw your groin,
you all turn pussy and eat your own shit.
J'accuse le Dieu, l'homme, the hollow
clay shape that cracks into pieces,
into shards that I use to slice
life into bloody puzzles you won't
ever piece together. I win, I always do.
For in the fragile husk that's mortal,
my words will always turn you into
what you hate, to destroy or be destroyed.
(c) copyright 2012 Charles David Miller. All rights reserved.
Whew! Powerful imagery and point. Love this:
ReplyDelete"Tie a man naked and expose him
to cold stones and iron routine,
dress him in women's clothes"
I wondered if anyone would choose a painting from the Abu Ghraib series--they are deeply disturbing, frighteningly personal images. This is an excellent piece of writing that tackles it all head on. Tip of the hat for strong but not overstated, for poetry and not preaching, in fact, for a very fine and fitting ekphrasis that amplifies the artist's eye.
ReplyDeleteStrong words here, Charles. I guess every person will have their breaking point; and sometimes it isn't pretty.
ReplyDeleteBy @zongrik, who could not post directly into the comment area. Posted by Charles for her from a Twitter DM she sent me:
ReplyDeleteyou were inspired! wow! you say all the little details in this, didn't you. i missed so much till i read your poem. tnk u 4 the insight.
whew..what a chilling write. it gave me goosebumps...these lines specially:
ReplyDeletemy words will always turn you into
what you hate, to destroy or be destroyed.
Charles, this is such a strong write. Our hatred does turn us into what we hate. There is so much anger in the world, and disrespect that is contagious. This is disturbing and honest.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of the torture they used on Winston Smith in 1984 until shown the thing he feared the most and he cried out: "Do it to her, not me." Even though 'she' was what he loved the most. I guess man (and woman) kind has proven throughout millennia there is nothing they won't stoop to, to degrade and tortue information out of their enemy, or subjugate their freedom to suppress free choice. I read a couple of (mostly fiction but some based on fact) books recently and the torture described in them was unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteThis is raw, and blunt and all the more effective because of its truth than when it comes to humans we have never truly been 'civilised' at all.
Very strong poem. Ooh. Terribly painful, awful--very effective. K.
ReplyDeletestrong charles...really i am glad someone jumped on this series...was going to go that way but i might have got out of hand...you though walked the line well...turns your stomach eh? mine indeed...and that is his point, his protest...ugh...
DeleteWow, this was powerful and so true. My father fled Russia as a boy in the 40's, he saw first hand how people turned on each other, that second stanza, very strong.
ReplyDeletePowerful words and imagery. "my words will always turn you into what you hate, to destroy or be destroyed." It strikes hard...so fitting for the painting.
ReplyDeletewow charles..kudos for choosing an image from this series...when i browsed his work, i didn't even dare looking closer at them because i was afraid what kind of emotions they might stir. you've walked the edge with this..and balanced it masterfully...very fine write...
ReplyDeletevery powerful and gut wrenching write ...thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeletePowerful, wonderful in a very horrific sort of way. Brave and commendable - and a fine poem to boot. (Pun not intended!)
ReplyDeleteGreat poem very powerful! Following
ReplyDeleteHorrific is definitely the word if one had to go through all of that. Great verse, very gritty and a tad scary like the art can be for different angles.
ReplyDeleteFor in the fragile husk that's mortal
ReplyDeleteThat's a stunning line, Charles--I love it.
It's difficult to pen words that can call up a visceral sense of desperation and degradation, but you've accomplished that here. The poem (and the painting) make me think of Goya. Really well done.