Photography © Jack Marty

 

Misnomer

A United Nations
where one accused of war crimes is welcomed
and another accused of war crimes is barred
along with one whose people are victims
of war crimes by one of those accused,
the one who is allowed entry.

A United Nations
where one nation’s delegates walk out
rather than hear the speech of one head of state.
and two nation’s delegates walk out
rather than hear the speech of another head of state
and seventy-seven delegations walk out
rather than hear the speech of the alleged war criminal.

A United Nations
who could agree their name
but not to behave accordingly.
Delegates have been walking out
on each other for seventy years now.

A United Nations
united only in name,
unanimity impossible as change
in procedures and structures of decision making.

United Nations.
Perhaps, finally they can agree a new name.

 

Lynn White lives in north Wales. Her work is influenced by issues of social justice and events, places and people she has known or imagined. She is especially interested in exploring the boundaries of dream, fantasy and reality. She has been nominated for Pushcarts, Best of the Net and a Rhysling Award.

Jack Marty takes photos when he feels like it. He thinks long bios get in the way of the work.