William Blake

A Burmese tragedy

A tradegy in one billion parts


Burma’s people have spoken, long may it be heard:
“We know, and we’ve chosen by whom we’ll be led!”
The Masters in their military-decorated suits
Stay far from the death-streets, from pavements stained red.
Former jewel of Asia, that image now shot through the head.

People’s champion caged, her electricity cut,
Opposition silenced, the outspoken killed.
Even monks’ blood is spilled.
While the Generals meditate!
What worse could befall us?
Don’t answer. Don’t ask.

Cyclone Nargis.
Rangoon, we are the New Hell.
Mother Nature punishing the Generals? No, they’ve moved the Capital.
Rangoon awash in bodies.
Bloated.
Decaying.
Country.
Monks and the Godless join and march to the beat
Of Revolution! Most have no shoes on their feet.

Repackaged aid: “From the Junta, With Love”
Keep the new rice for themselves; “Eat the old stuff or starve.”
Bodies blocking the drains? Dynamite.
No dignity in death.
No dignity in Burma.
No dignity anywhere.

A referendum now held: Democracy rules!
The 1990 election disallowed. The Lady denied.
By law.
By the Government.
By the people.
Of the people.
For the people.

The bodies of the people.




Comments

No comments yet

Post your comment

Comments are moderated and will not appear instantly.

Featured Jobs

Full-time Native Japanese Teacher

฿45,000+ / month

Bangkok


Part-time French and English Teachers

฿330+ / hour

Bangkok


MYP Head of Maths

฿120,000+ / month

Nonthaburi


Shadow Teacher

฿20,000+ / month

Pathum Thani


Early Years Teacher

฿70,000+ / month

Bangkok


NES English, Science and Math Teachers

฿42,300+ / month

Thailand


Featured Teachers

  • Mazhar


    Pakistani, 39 years old. Currently living in Pakistan

  • Ma.


    Filipino, 55 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Elvie


    Filipino, 29 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Dexter


    Filipino, 31 years old. Currently living in Philippines

  • Laxmi


    Indian, 36 years old. Currently living in Thailand

  • Jamielyn


    Filipino, 26 years old. Currently living in Philippines

The Hot Spot


Will I find work in Thailand?

Will I find work in Thailand?

It's one of the most common questions we get e-mailed to us. So find out exactly where you stand.


Contributions welcome

Contributions welcome

If you like visiting ajarn.com and reading the content, why not get involved yourself and keep us up to date?


The dreaded demo

The dreaded demo

Many schools ask for demo lessons before they hire. What should you the teacher be aware of?


Need Thailand insurance?

Need Thailand insurance?

Have a question about health or travel insurance in Thailand? Ricky Batten from Pacific Prime is Ajarn's resident expert.


The Region Guides

The Region Guides

Fancy working in Thailand but not in Bangkok? Our region guides are written by teachers who actually live and work in the provinces.


Air your views

Air your views

Got something to say on the topic of teaching, working or living in Thailand? The Ajarn Postbox is the place. Send us your letters!


Teacher mistakes

Teacher mistakes

What are the most common mistakes that teachers make when they are about to embark on a teaching career in Thailand? We've got them all covered.


The cost of living

The cost of living

How much money does a teacher need to earn in order to survive in Thailand? We analyze the facts.