Poetry News

An Argument for its Closing: Dead Gitmo Detainee’s Poem

By Harriet Staff

From Amnesty International’s website:

Adnan Latif died at Guantánamo on Saturday, after being held over 10 years without charge—despite a judge’s order that he be released.

Latif protested his treatment with a hunger strike and poetry; these lines were cleared by government censors and serve as a tragic reminder of the urgent need to end indefinite detention and close the prison:

“Hunger Strike Poem”

They are artists of torture,
They are artists of pain and fatigue,
They are artists of insults
and humiliation.
Where is the world to save us
from torture?
Where is the world to save us
from the fire and sadness?
Where is the world to save
the hunger strikers?

Full post, including ways you can take action, here.

Posted in Poetry News on Monday, September 17th, 2012 by Harriet Staff.