Here’s a Scary Scenario

Just as the World Cup was underway, Israel begins to bomb Gaza for… what again?

Now that World Cup fever has died down (pun intended), an airline is shot and who’s quickly blamed?

Yeah, it sounds far fetched, like some weird conspiracy movie… well, weirder things have happened. It could also be compared to a performance on a stage with a bunny and a top hat.

Don’t mind me. I’m not running from missiles and drones, I’m not looking for missing members of my family in the few seconds when the air clears a little for me to see my own footsteps amid the rubble and mayhem.

I’m far away and screaming my lungs out in anger at this madness.

-o-

The following was written and translated in January 2009, during Israel’s blockbuster movie, OPERATION CAST LEAD.

Ang Aso at ang Amo

Maigting na kumpas lang ng kamay ng amo

kakaripas agad ang aso, sintalas ng patalim

kung humiwa sa hangin ang nguso

Ilang ulit nang ganito itinuro

kung sino ang dapat tugisin,

panindigin ang balahibo.

Napakagaling ng kanilang konsiyerto

ng karahasan, sa wakas, pinakabahagyang

kibot ng kilay ng amo, mabilis pa sa bala

pumapaslang na ang aso.

Israel, alin ikaw?

-o-

The Dog and Its Master

With a firm wave of the master’s hand

the dog sets off, sharp as a dagger

its nose cuts the wind.

Over and over, this lesson is taught

the dog quickly learns

whom it must seek, sending hairs on end.

They conduct this concert of violence

with such precision, in the end, with the slightest

twitch of the master’s brow, the dog

flies swifter than a bullet, finishing off a prey.

Israel, which are you?

-o-