97. Red

Written in haste. This poem could be a lot better but it's urgent! This-morning I received an email asking me to add my name to requests for a 'red card' for Mugabe in Zimbabwe. (You may remember that I lived in Zimbabwe when it was Rhodesia in the good old/bad old days.) A Red Card is the card that a soccer player is given if he has to leave the field. Thousands are expected to wave these red cards as a sign of protest against the tyrant. But Zimbabwe's problems have been overshadowed by the extravagances of the Olympics and the bloodshed in Georgia.
Red is not a restful colour.

To 'wave' your Red Card at Mugabe click

http://www.avaaz.org/en/red_card_for_mugabe/97.php?cl_tf_sign=1


RED

The glorious silkiness
Of Chinese costumes.
Gold upon Crimson
Poppy upon Silver.
A crimson Olympic Games.
Red

The blood of the innocent
In Europe.
Righting the wrong
Or wronging the righteous?
The dogs of War
Wearing red leashes.
Red

A ticket for Mugabe.
'Time to leave'
Thousands waving tickets
The game is over
For this player.
Send him off the field.
Red.

The colour of our times is
Red.