by Lynn White
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| Cartoon by Matt Lubchansky at The Nib, May 12, 2021 |
There are always two sides to every story,
you said.
The protesters were armed.
The protesters were violent
when faced with soldiers in full combat gear.
Faced with snipers armed with live ammunition.
Armed but
only with stones,
and only some of them.
There are always two sides to every story,
you said.
I ask,
to every story?
Do you really believe that
for a demonstration of unarmed people
when the snipers and soldiers
are already waiting
ready.
There were terrorists amongst them
intent on doing us harm,
You say
so, yes, to every story, every story.
Really?
Would the not harm be similar
to the tens who were killed
and the hundreds that were injured?
We have a right to defend ourselves,
you said,
so yes,
there are always two sides to every story.
Every story.
Well,
so, you will want to hear it for the Nazis then!
No?
That’s not what you meant.
That story stands alone
one sided.
Really?
Perhaps the number of sides
depends on the differences in power.
Perhaps it’s not alone.
Really.
Lynn White lives in north Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality and writes hoping to find an audience for her musings. She was shortlisted in the Theatre Cloud 'War Poetry for Today' competition and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and a Rhysling Award. Her poetry has appeared in many publications including Apogee, Firewords, Peach Velvet, Light Journal and So It Goes.
