Verkeerdekraal

3 2 Y V E R K E E R D E K R A A L C . J . D R I V E R So did we get it wrong, those years ago? That’s ‘‘we,’’ the brainy boys and girls, elite And blessed in every sort of way, judgmental To a fault, agnostic to be sure. We thought we knew exactly who we were. We chose precisely who to kill with what; The damage that we can’t undo we call ‘‘Collateral’’ – we know we can’t be blamed. And now we claim we did our best to learn The lessons of duality (our wars Were ‘‘little wars’’ and made ‘‘to keep the peace’’), Like sheep who’ve nudged a broken hedge aside. So turn the wagons round and head for home, Though home might never be the place it was; The road-blocks lie ahead; the policemen pounce On penitents and pilgrims all alike And here’s their list of those to be detained – Although there’s nothing left which points to guilt: The blood was washed away, the bodies burned, The clothes we wore all parceled up and dumped. I told you, sir, as clearly as I could, I must have dropped my weapon in a ditch. We built our lives on emptiness, and found No solace when – at last – time caught us out. ...