This is a small volume that you will be able to read in one sitting. As the foreward explains, this is a set of poems written by detainees being held at the Guatanamo Bay prison camp. The poems were collected and compiled by the detainees lawyers.

The book is set up so it tells a short biography of the detainee and then follows up with their poems. Most of the poems are of course written about the alienation, betrayal felt by being a prisoner. What the stories surprisingly don't show you is a loss of a sense of hope. Their faith seems to be that strong. The shame that is Guatanamo Bay is a disgrace that should be felt of all Americans. While speaking of America one author ironically writes:

"They talk, they argue, they kill-
they fight for peace"

Another author who has tried to commit suicide several times writes:

"and let them bear the guilty burden, before the world of this innocent soul.....
....Of this soul which has suffered at the hands of the "protectors of peace"

While some of the translation of the poetry from Arabic to English leaves it a little disjointed, this book still exposes the power of poetry to say more than a simple news report or statistics can. These poems give a voice to the detainees. A voice that is sometimes hard to hear when you release what is being done in our name.

While the White House continues to call those detained at Guatanamo as "the worst of the worst" the vast majority remain uncharged and over 141 have been released without charges one has to wonder what the long term effect of Guantanamo will be on the United States and the world. Unfortunately, it may be summed up in the following lines from one of the poems:

"Does oppression not demand
Some reaction against the oppressor?"
Add as favourites (181) | Quote this article on your site

Be first to comment this article

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved