Betrayal

Windsurfer
balances
breeze and
sail

Stands
confident in
position
of authority

Refreshed
by spray
on tanned
gym-monkey torso
vanity
justified

Evacuation
of Kabul
stutters
pending
Minister's
approval

Afghan allies
require
visas to
escape
Taliban's
vengeful advance

Windsurfer
gybes
cock-sure
of judgement
power

Calls from
ministry
officials
can wait
their papers
will be read
later

Aircraft
depart
half-empty
such precious
equipment
cannot
be lost

Loyality
to the
democratic
creed
only flows
one-way
and can
cost you
everything

~

n.b. NaPoWriMo 2023. Day 20 prompt take an abstract noun from the list and write in short lines and brief stanzas.

News events here, the resignation of a bully from HM Government, brings to mind his appalling neglect of duty when the USA and British forces were told to flee from Afghanistan, as Taliban forces descended on Kabul.

The man, who was British Foreign Minister at the time of the crisis, refused to return from his holiday in Crete, so he might work closely with officials trying to evacuate translators and other Afghani people, who had worked closely with the UK military forces there.

It is known that the lack of leadership and subsequently poor coordination of resources within the Foreign Office led to the abandonment of men and women, who were later imprisoned, tortured and killed for having worked with the British, who had tried to support USA efforts to bring democracy to the war ravished country.

CLP 21/04/2023

Oh! Mothers

it is said childbirth
is the most painful of pains
but not after this

~

n.b. Sons, brothers, uncles, lovers, husbands, fathers, friends. Young men, rest in peace.

CLP 29/08/2021

Oh! Earth

this planet spins on
with occasional wobbles
cares not a jot

~

n.b. part of the pain old as mountains never-ending series.

CLP 27/08/2021

Oh! Taliban / I.S.

'tis the devil's work
using human bombs to kill
perversion of faith

~

n.b. pain old as mountains never-ending series

CLP 26/08/2021

Oh! G7

there is nothing that
the rich won't do for money
Devil's dance partner

~

n.b. pain old as mountains never-ending series.

CLP 24/08/2021

Oh, UN!

no security

relief nor reconstruction

neat press release though

~

n.b. pain old as mountains never ending series.

Oh, Surprise!

in aching mountains

wait gold, copper, lithium

wealth beyond belief

~

n.b. pain old as mountains never ending series.

n.n.b. Can religious zealotry ever resist mammon? Follow the link to the yellow brick road.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/18/business/afghanistan-lithium-rare-earths-mining/index.html

Oh, UAE!

how can you be both

state where free thinkers fear gaol

Ghani’s safe haven

~

n.b. pain old as mountains never ending series.

~

CLP 19/08/2021

Oh! Panjshir

deep in Hindu Kush

lone pocket of resistance

with hope in your hearts

~

n.b. pain old as mountains never ending series.

CLP 19/08/2021

Oh, Iran!

victim of empires

how can you provide succour

when you’re without love

~

n.b. pain old as mountains never ending series.

CLP 18/08/2021