Iraq Poem by Alan Gibbons

Author and campaigner Alan Gibbons sent Socialist Worker this poem yesterday, in the wake of the publication of the Chilcot report.

The politician stands before the public

And his voice cracks.

The parent watches the politician

And her heart breaks.

A break is a crack.

A crack opened in Iraq

All those years ago.

The crack spread and spread.

Seeds were cast in the crack

And a poisonous weed grew

And more hearts broke.

New cracks widened and ran

And new seeds were sewn

And more and more poisonous weeds

Spill out and grasp our limbs.

The politician stands before the public.

His voice cracks.

His heart does not break.