Chanoch Levin, September 1982

Chanoch Levin, an Israeli Poet, wrote this sarcastic poem during 1982 invasion.

Click on the photo for a larger version.

Beirut is in flames. Beirut is burning.
And this is our chance to get rid of all our trash.
Throw into the fire your conscience and liberty.
Clean the whole area, leave no stone intact.

Ignite the books, paper burns well.
Don't be soft hearted, just feed the inferno.
Sanitize your house; does anyone yell?
Shove a blazing rag into the gibbering gob.

There are doubts? Burn them too! And throw into the flames
the mourns, moans, and groans.
The stench of scorched baby flesh
shall cover up many smells.

Beirut is in flames. Beirut is burning.
Turn everything into ashes, once and for all.
Throw into the fire your conscience and liberty.
Tomorrow they might, god forbid, flourish again.

Chanoch Levin, September 1982

Thanks Rabih for this post.