Since 2002, at least 775 men have been held in the U.S. detention center at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. According to Department of Defense data, f...
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reviews
May 20, 2010
Angel
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This little book is a must read. More people in the United States, who likely have no idea of the atrocious treatment the "enemy combatants" get in Guantanamo, should read this. The poetry varies in its themes. There are some militant poems, and there are poems that simply present the poet's yearning for home. Some are only a couple of lines, and others are a bit longer. All of them are moving; the imagery rich and flowing. In addition to the poem, the book features supplementary mater
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Dec 23, 2008
Denis
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Reading this collection of poems by Guantanamo detainees is a gut-wrenching experience. These poems do not give pleasure, but they are full of the painfully raw power of anger, humiliation, and anguish. I had a chance to meet the editor of the collection, who is an attorney for several detainees, and the obstacles that the government put in the way of getting even this small number of poems into print makes this volume all the more valuable.
These poems call out to be read by every A More...
These poems call out to be read by every A More...
Jul 31, 2009
Samra
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In a situation where one is hopeless and loss; these men have illustrated to the humanity how well they have occupied their time; seeking poetry to spread their stories; words which reflect their pain; torture; and suffering written by ink showered by blood tears; and sorrow. Yet despite all this they have shown they will not give up. These prisoners taught me that indeed patience is the key; that no matter how long the suffering is; it will end someday.
Dec 28, 2011
Johara
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I want to cry. Of all the books I own, this one, a thin hardback of only 72 pages, is the most important, which is why I left it till the end of the challenge.
The poems between the covers may not be the best prose, but what they lack in literatal composition they make up with the strongness of their expressiveness. I loved every single piece, and with me not being a fan of poetry. It's loud, it's strong, and it's heartbreaking. My only gall with it is my need to read the poems in the More...
The poems between the covers may not be the best prose, but what they lack in literatal composition they make up with the strongness of their expressiveness. I loved every single piece, and with me not being a fan of poetry. It's loud, it's strong, and it's heartbreaking. My only gall with it is my need to read the poems in the More...
Aug 15, 2009
Craig
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An extremely important book that needs to be read. What is being done to these people in *our* names is sobering and disgusting.
Something needs to be done and if these voices are the beginning, then the importance of these poems can't be overstated.
Something needs to be done and if these voices are the beginning, then the importance of these poems can't be overstated.
Mar 09, 2011
Teshamae
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The poems aren't always steller, but the book provokes thought about the American treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo. Every American should read it.
Aug 18, 2007
Brian
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This book's very existence is amazing. Though every poem had to be cleared by the Pentagon, some are openly critical of the U.S. and of Bush. Almost all the poems are understandably full of anguish. The mini-biographies of the poets are gripping, sometimes heart-rending. Naturally, one wonders what kinds of poems the Pentagon did not clear for release (what were the criteria? what marked a poem for suppression?). Poems from Guantanamo serves a valuable function by giving voice to those who've be
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Jan 10, 2012
Grady
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All the full power of poetry. Anger, fear, compassion, justice, injustice
Apr 29, 2008
arafat
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Humanity finds a voice in words that emerge from the depravity of the dark cells that are Guantanamo.
As Pakistani poet/scholar Sheikh Abdurraheem Muslim Dost writes: "I am flying on the wings of thought, And so even in this cage I know a greater freedom." Dost, released from Guantanamo in April 2005, was re-arrested by Pakistani intelligence after publishing a memoir of his imprisonment. He is still missing.
The short blurbs on the authors are as powerful and dis More...
As Pakistani poet/scholar Sheikh Abdurraheem Muslim Dost writes: "I am flying on the wings of thought, And so even in this cage I know a greater freedom." Dost, released from Guantanamo in April 2005, was re-arrested by Pakistani intelligence after publishing a memoir of his imprisonment. He is still missing.
The short blurbs on the authors are as powerful and dis More...
Aug 10, 2010
Connie
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This is a book of poems written by actual Guantanamo Bay detainees. The poems express their frustration and anger about being tortured, humiliated and imprisoned. This book only sheds a tiny bit of insight into what the prisoners went through. Since the poets are from the middle east, their work had to be translated into English so, unfortunately, a lot was lost in the translation. The book will heighten your outrage about how ugly censorship is as well as war.
Aug 24, 2007
Lilith
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This book is both wondrous and horrifying - it's wondrous that somewhere along the line it was allowed exist, and horrifying that it does. The poetry is moving, swamped in anguish and pain, and illustrative of a dehumanization and cruelty that flies in the face of any modern conception of human rights. It was very painful to read, and is painful to digest, but it was equally moving and inspiring. Recommended to any who are capable of seeing it as more than rhetoric.
Jan 06, 2008
Lauren
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This book is what it is. Whether or not the poetry invokes generalities of suffering or abstract, sweeping concepts seems to be beside the point. The fact that these may be the only words these men could invoke during a time of intense stress is to me something completely different, and the fact that lawyers upon lawyers had to fight to even bring *these* words to the public eyes says much more.
I wonder what it is we're doing anymore.
I wonder what it is we're doing anymore.
Jun 21, 2010
Mark
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I agree with Angel that this book must be read.
As for the additional material, I believe the Chilean poet got it far more correct than the American linguist/anthropologist.
As for the additional material, I believe the Chilean poet got it far more correct than the American linguist/anthropologist.
Jul 24, 2008
Leonard
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I've read this brief collection of poems twice in the past six months, and will be reading it again soon. It's a chance to actually see the lives of a few of these prisoners close up, and in their own words. It's also a grim and sobering report on how far the US government has drifted from being a country that respects the rights and hunanily of everyone.
Aug 06, 2008
Ashley
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This book was amazing. Absolutely amazing. I feel changed after reading it, after imagining what was not able to be said by these men. I believe everyone should read this collection of poems.
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