I'll pretend that this is actually part of my research for my paper due on Thursday about Lebanese Confessionalism. This poem comes from a book called "Lebanon, Lebanon" which I read last November while I was in Lebanon and then checked out again for my current research. The book is about the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, the poem is about the irony/tragedy of official tellings of war.
Stop
As of today, the peace process will be intensified
through war. These are safe bombs, and any fatalities
will be minors. The targets are strictly military
or civilian. Anomalies may occur, but none
out of the ordinary. This release has been prepared by
official Stop
First reports indicate a major break through
hospital roofs. the bombs were strictly targeted at
random personnel. Any errors are a mere blip
on the radar screen. Until our aim is achieved we will continue
missing. In modern war, mistakes are never made
official Stop
We can confirm that many personnel now enjoy peace,
underground. Several terrorists have been
created overnight. Our smart bombs are subject only to
intelligence errors. Certain one-off tragic events
will regrettably recur. We anticipate a stepping up
of funerals Stop
In another time-zone, the bombs fall unsafely.
There are reports of urgent talk under the rubble.
Numberless children lie accounted for in morgues.
Regrettably, we are unable to offer regrets today.
This poem has been subject to certain restrictions.
Stop.
