Iraq

I want to sing a song

For a body I saw

Crumpled

And without a name

But clearly someone young

Who had not yet lived his life

And never would.

How shall I do this?

What kind of song

Would serve such a purpose?

This poem may never end,

For what answer does it have

For anyone

In the distant

Comfortable country,

Simply looking on?

Clearly

He had a weapon in his hands

I think

He could have been no more than twenty.

I think whoever he was

Of whatever country,

He might have been my brother

Were the world different.

I think

He would not have been lying there

Were the world different

I think

If I had known him

On his birthday,

I would have made for him

A great celebration.

Were the world different?

Alas, I can mourn, dream, wish, and make concrete requests

Of the world.

But what would this carrying on amount to?

Were I different

I would know that all beings are my family

And I would make for this day

Every day

A celebration of birthdays

Singing my death song.

Were the world different what would you have it be? If you were different, what would you be?