“Never Again” Has Lost Its Meaning

William Berkowitz

The bombs stopped for a moment but the war went on.

Bodies were piled on bodies as the war went on.

Funerals could not be held because the war went on.

Homes turned to rubble as the war went on.

Children were starving because the war went on.

At food aid stations bullets flew while the war went on.

Mothers watched their babies die while the war went on.

The watching world stayed quiet as the war went on.

Leaders of countries were silent while the war went on.

“Never Again” was happening again as the war went on.

Teachers had no students while the war went on.

Libraries were burnt to the ground while the war went on.

Doctors ran out of medicine while the war went on.

Artists couldn’t lift their brushes while the war went on.

Singers lost their voices while the war went on.

Journalists were targeted while the war went on.

Photographers were blinded while the war went on

Podcasts were crushed while the war went on.

Social media sites turned to dust while the war went on.

President played golf while the war went on.

Meaningless resolutions were crafted while the war went on.

Businessmen continued dining at fine restaurants while the war went on.

Arms dealers wheelbarreled profits into vaults while the war went on.

Politicians cried for more blood while the war went on.

And the world just kept scrolling while the war went on.