Liberation over peace

This poem is written in support of the student encampment protests across the world.

I am reflecting on the fact that I might have become numb to the news of cruelty, loss, and grief.

It’s my shame to admit;

our shame to bear — if you’d care enough to acknowledge it

witnesses of never-ending violence and war-mongering.

Becoming more than witnesses

is becoming hostile to their eyes

or the cameras that are recording this very moment

where your tents double in numbers as they tore the previous ones.

You’ve become more than witnesses who go numb.

There is no shame in the power of the people

who fights injustice where justice is not served

where violence is the language that is being used to create those injustices

that tries to put us into silence — dehumanising an existence

or echoing a willful ignorance and indifference.

The chants are louder, and the tents grow in numbers;

I am reflecting on how people have moved closer to the idea of liberation over peace.