Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Naming of Targets

To-day we have naming of targets. Yesterday,
We had daily denial. And to-morrow morning,
We shall have what to say after launching. But to-day,
To-day we have naming of targets. Command
Glistens like street fires in all of the neighboring countries.
                             And to-day we have naming of targets.

This is the central shopping mall. And this
Is the central square, whose use you will see,
When you are given green light. And this is the local hospital,
Which in your case will be forgot. The civilians
Hold in the countries their silent, twisted gestures,
                             Which in our case we have forgot.

This is the main high way, which is always erased
With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me
Hear anyone talk to the press. You can avoid it quite easy
If you haven’t any moral in your thumb. The populace
Are fragile and motionless, never leaving anyone
                             To talk to the press.

And this you can see is the school. The purpose of this
Is to open the conflict, as you can see. We can bomb it
Rapidly intentionally or “unintentionally”: we call this
Collateral damage. And whether intentionally or “unintentionally”
The children will tumble, fumble, and then crumble:
                             They call it collateral damage.


They call it collateral damage: it is perfectly easy
If you haven’t any moral in your thumb: like the school,
And the mall, and the high way, and the hospital,
Which in our case we have forgot; and the foreign people
Silent in all of the streets and the children tumbling and crumbling
                             For to-day we have naming of targets.  

4 comments:

  1. Very successful version of the Reed poem updated to more modern types of warfare with other moral dilemmas - very effective pastiche. I particularly liked the third stanza and the new use of the reference to the thumb.
    You've maintained the Reed structure and enough of his catch-phrases to ensure the reader would recognize the original. Good job.

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  2. There really is a chilling effect over this poem, that almost too realistically reflects the news covering modern wars. The part about collateral damagde was very disturbing and well done.

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  3. Very Well-written, it is easy to recognize the Reed poem.
    I enjoy the dark take on the military and how the politics revolving casualties and warfare in general, excellent work!

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  4. Nice job. It's easy to see that you took another take on the war theme. The tone of the pastiche is brilliant due to the neutral voice in. I perfectly see this poem in a modern day society. I just couldn't help thinking of all the news I tune in on every morning.

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