Release of Prisoners

Release of prisoners 

Today we have release of prisoners.  Yesterday,

We had negotiation. And tomorrow morning

We shall resume hostilities.  But today

Today, we have release of prisoners.  Amidst waving flags

And cheers among the crowds of waiting onlookers

Today we have the release of prisoners.

This one is a soldier.  And this

Is one too, as you will see,

when you are given back your son,

whom in your case you have not seen.  For five years. 

His bed at home unslept in and yet made ready for his return. 

His mother keeps a photo of his youthful face.

Which in his case he has not got.

This is the camera button, which when released is always accompanied

 by the click of the shutter. Please do not let me

see anyone using a flash.  Not even by accident.  Our guests

are fragile and motionless,  never letting anyone see

the whites of their eyes.

And these you can see is the bolt.  The purpose of this

is to inhibit motion, as you see.  We can slide it

open and shut.  We call this

lockdown.  Latest edition, British made. 

Sold to us by your government a time we thought they were our friends. 

Before the lock-down.

Before the lock-down, we were friends

and our cameras snapped our happy faces

and we talked at the dinner table.  We talked about

oil and the balance of power.

We in our case we have not got,

and the chatter and shutters are silent,

For today we have release of prisoners.   

Helen Springall after Henry Reed.

18^th October 2011