To identify parts (On the war in Iraq)

 To-day we need to identify parts. Yesterday,

We were all intact. And so to-morrow morning,

We shall bury the remains of this bloodshed. But to-day,

To-day we need to identify parts. Stars

Glistens like fireflies in all of the Mediterranean Sea,

          Yet to-day we need to identify parts.

This was once a seeing oculus. And this

a vocal and shrill ostium, whose use now has run its course,

When you look at the residue, it mourns life,

Which in your case you have not got. The desert

Holds in its highs and lows silent and eloquent peace,

          Which in our case we have not got.

This is the middle east, which is coloured red by blood

With an easy flick of the thumb, And greedy individuals who

Uses lies to justify their doing. You can do it quite easy

If you do not care for human life. The Jericho rose

is fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see

          its subtle and protective retraction.

And this you can see is death. The purpose of this

Does not seem to justify the means. Bullets flying

Rapidly and deadly, back and forth: we call this

Wretched warfare. And rapidly and deadly, back and forth

The strong furious winds torment the birds and bees:

          They call it wretched warfare.

They call it wretched warfare: it is perfectly easy

If you do not care for human life: like the greedy individuals,

So the stars, sky, and sea mourns the remains and peace,

Which in our case we have not got; and the Jericho rose

Silent in the desert and the furious winds blowing back and forth

          For to-day we need to identify parts.