On Bombings and Apologies

by Joseph G. Ramsey / April 6th, 2011

“I’m sorry,” said the captain
After killing your wife
Upon maiming your children
And wrecking your life.

“I’m sorry,” he said,
“The missile. It missed;
“I’ll certainly understand it if you feel pissed.

“That damn missile went
left
when it should have gone
right–
“–You see, it’s hard to see straight
in the middle
of the night.
“Please know that America didn’t want your kin dead;
“That missile was meant for your neighbors instead.”

Joseph G. Ramsey is an educator, activist, scholar, and parent to a toddler, residing in the Boston, Massachusetts area.  As a union organizer, he is working to help contingent academic workers to resist both neoliberal austerity and rising neofascism. Joe also helps organize the Richard Wright Society and is presently writing a book about the critical communism of Richard Wright.  He welcomes your comments at jgramsey@gmail.com. Read other articles by Joseph, or visit Joseph's website.

This article was posted on Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 at 8:00am and is filed under Militarism, Poetry, Weaponry.