By Kristian D
I tried to stay home
and I was bombed
I tried to escape to areas
that used to be my country
and I was shot at
I sought a bit of freedom in the air
where waves of the mediterranean hit the beach
and the kids are playing ball
and I was bombed
I sought shelter in UN buildings
and I was bombed
Desperate I sent my children to the UN school
and they were bombed and killed
I visited the graves of my children
and in the cemetery
I was bombed and wounded
I was lying in a hospital bed
glaring at the ceiling
that was bombed
I sought refuge in the UN Charter
and I was bombed
I sought coverage in international conventions
and I was bombed with phosphorus
I sought the attention of Arab leaders
and they looked at me in silence
as I was bombed
I sought the sympathy of European leaders
and they referred to friendship with the US and Israel
as I was bombed again
Now, friend, I abide my time
and enter the resistance
that the incessant rhythms of Israeli bombs
shall not be the only music
in my land
Kristian Dalgaard is a Danish revolutionary poet and editor of KPnetTV
Read the poem in Danish here
the english translation of the poem would sound much better and be grammatically more correct if it read:
…..
I sought refuge in the UN Charter
and I was bombed
I sought coverage in international conventions
and I was bombed with phosphorus
I sought the attention of Arab leaders
and they looked at me in silence
as I was bombed
etc.
Who gives a damn about the grammar? I for one do not!
i’m also a revolutionary poet, ml. i agree with the comment by jjcostandi. much better flow that way. but grammar is beside the point, imho, so rose is also right. it’s a good solid poem. thanks. hap bockelie.
Thank you for your comments. We agree about the translation and have made the changes – thanks!
Thank you for your comments and input.
I might change the Danish version as well later on. So it will be the past tense.
I believe it can be read in a less ‘defensive’ way than the present perfect tense.