For David Hicks, five years in Guantanamo Bay without charge
They torture him,
Because he is Muslim
Because he fought on the wrong side
Because he is different from them
Yet we do nothing.
They create laws with an eerily familiar ring,
Because they cannot see past their ideals
Because their victims no longer seem human
Yet we do nothing.
Just like a generation of Germans before us.
Just like a generation of Rwandans before us.
Why?
Because the sun still shines
Because making love still feels good
Because he just called again and I miss him
Because I argued with my boss
Because that idiot just cut me off
Because the baby was crying
Because the children need their lunch
Because I’ll miss the train if I don’t hurry
Because reading a book is my escape
Because my new laptop will arrive
Because I was writing something down
In case I forgot, in case I remembered,
In case I had to call them back later
Because, too often, I feel lonely too
Because light needs the darkness too
Because it hadn’t to happen to someone
And I didn’t want it to be me
Because I was scared to say anything
Because it’s all too complicated
Because sometimes I feel helpless
Because music makes me want to dance
Because that’s far away and I’m safe
Because it’s easy
Because it’s easy
Because it’s easy
