16/02/2022
After yesterday's move in Canada's parliament, this poem seems even more relevant. This is from my book, Lockdown Fragments.
I heard of Russia
Growing up,
That dark place of
Long lines and empty stores
How neighbours snitched
When they heard the wrong word
Or dared to think subversive thoughts.
I read of China
Later on,
Stories of Mao taking over the land,
Dumping professors in jail
And ripping children from
Disobedient parents
Who did not agree to party lines.
I learned of Pharaoh
Long ago,
Tales of once-free Israelites
Enslaved by their king,
Living in bo***ge
Building pyramids
But receiving no pay.
I saw my own land
Just this year,
Rulers making up new laws
Every week
To stop people from working
And feeding their kids,
Jailing those who disobey.
I saw an ad
The other day,
Of a tip line set up
To tell on your neighbour
If they dared to visit
Another’s house or
Gather for laughter with their friends.
I prayed for pastors
Punished
In my country
This week.
In prison for meeting
And singing.
Fined for
Leading their church.
I remembered Russia
And China, too,
How we all prayed
For the people there.
Feel sad for my country
And pray for us now.
Please pray for our country
Our freedom’s been lost.