One year on

A year ago today I compiled a found poem from the news on BBC Radio 4.

24th February 2022

flashes in the night smoke in the day
the roads are jammed
low rumble of military jets
civilians are buying guns and bullets
     we have no way of verifying this

Rolls-Royce down 14%
titanium comes from Russia
things we haven’t seen for eighty years
too late to change the price of a barrel of oil
     we have no way of verifying this

we’ve been at war for eight years already
you should have realised
all covid restrictions have ended
THIS IS INSANE
     we have no way of verifying this

sirens missile strikes overwhelming odds
a night in the subway
together we can prevent this 
even in a war you have to eat
     we have no way of verifying this

it was the worst minute of my life
I am afraid      suitcase ready
my children ask what will happen
we seek safety in bunkers
     we have no way of verifying this

a new iron curtain descending on Europe
cities are fortifying themselves
bombarded hit by missiles
how easily are we manipulated
     we have no way of verifying this

the whole world has gone topsy turvy
a day when decades are happening
she’s trying to not worry about her life
he has gone through the looking glass
     but we have no way of verifying this


Ama Bolton

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