DetailsThe poem, its numbers, and the conversation.

Why Do We Stay?

Member since 2006 · Posted 25 Jun 2007 · Edited 29 Jun 2007 · 8 comments

Learning seventh grade civics My student Alex Asks why we went to Iraq. I shrug my shoulders, We thought they had nuclear Weapons, or might soon. He asks, "Did they?" No, I say. "Then why do we stay?" Terrorists did bomb New York, They proved that they can. "The terrorists from Iraq?" No, Afghanistan; They are two different places. "You mean we based this War on a mistake?" Yes, I say. "Then why do we stay?" After Nine-One-Oneâs events, We need to prevent Terrorists from bombing us. He asks, "Did Iraq bomb us?" No, but they might. Well, They did pay to bomb Israel. "Did we stop that?" No, I say. "Then why do we stay?" To capture Saddam Hussein, End his bloody reign, Free the people of those lands To seek their own ends. Alex asks, "Is Iraq free? Can they decide their own destiny?" Yes, I say. "Then why do we stay?" Terrorists have gone to war. "Were they there before we came?" No, they came later They plan to follow Us home and attack us here. "The war stopped them?" No, They are coming anyway. "Then why do we stay? "Soldiers fighting over there Canât protect us here." Alex, youâre Conservative, Why change your view? "The war ended years ago And we hate Bush too. If heâs not dumb or crazy Then why do we stay?" Maybe for petrol, money, Political sway, Religious conviction or Just to get his way, But shouldnât Conservatives Guard their leader? "No," Alex huffs, "He is not my Leader anymore."

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8 comments

[9] Skamper 25-Jun-07/5:12 PM Reply

I like the movement of this poem and there's no arguing with the logic, the idea or the squirming way of attempting to justify to the youth what the hell we are all playing at - but Alex seems to get very smart, his final words are more what an adult making a speech would say - rather than the natural conclusion from a 7th grader...do you know what I mean? I do like the whole thing, it's just something kinda contrived maybe, about the last part...

[n/a] nypoet22 › Skamper 28-Jun-07/12:52 AM Reply

Good point. Not that there's all that much doubt, but maybe at the end the activist within the poet tips his hand a bit too much. What would you think if the ending were:

Alex huffs, "He is not my
Leader anymore."

[9] Skamper › nypoet22 28-Jun-07/3:54 PM Reply

Yes, much simpler - he seems to have taken what was said and reached his own conclusion.

[8] ALChemy 27-Jun-07/11:05 PM Reply

Ok then let us pull out tomorrow. What's that Alex? You don't know how to get that done? You don't have enough control and power to make that happen? Oh I see Alex, it's my job to fix it. Well you go back to playing X-box and I'll make the world all better for you.
Unless you're willing to sit outside the Whitehouse lawn for 3 days and get pepper sprayed and chased by police dogs like your parents or grand parents did then I suggest you stop your whining and hope you vote in a good egg for president next time around.

[n/a] nypoet22 › ALChemy 28-Jun-07/12:56 AM Reply

Give the kid time. It's six years from twelve to eighteen, and in the past two schoolyears i've met some pretty exceptional seventh graders...

[9] lmp 29-Jun-07/3:16 PM Reply

i do like the improvement of the ending, although i would think Alex would "sulk" his answer; "huff" seems a bit wrong somehow, as if he were flummoxed (but maybe he is).

interesting bit that Alex(ander) is making the comment about not following Bush any longer; the origin of Alex's name implies leadership.

extra point for the content.

[7] Dovina 29-Jun-07/3:19 PM Reply

I think you should drop the last verse. It's too telling, and really says nothing not implied above.

[9] Ranger 1-Jul-07/3:11 AM Reply

What does Alex think would have happened if Iraq had been left alone?

Good poeme though.