CIA HQ, AFGHANISTAN, 2021
In a compound some two miles square, surrounded
by razor wire and guard towers, on a hillside
three miles north east of the airport and six
from Kabul’s centre, are rows of burnt out cars
and pick-ups. Beneath the vehicles
are solidified pools of molten metal.
Elsewhere in the compound are the ruins
of a mock-up village used to train
operatives to carry out night terror raids.
The recreational block is intact.
Inside are unfinished meals and abandoned
games of chess. The detention block too
is intact. Inmates gave it the soubriquet
‘the dark prison’, the cells having
no natural light – nor electric except
when the torturers came.
Ashen Venema
November 26, 2021Grim. Chilling collation of images …
The solidified pools of molten metal,
unfinished meals, and abandoned games of chess
Catherine Reynolds
November 27, 2021If the experience of life is lived through darkness and light then the shadowy pall of this enclave summons up the demons.
David Selzer
November 28, 2021The hypocrisy regarding ‘our time’ – i.e. the West’s – in Afghanistan is nauseating.
Catherine Reynolds
November 28, 2021It is as though the bullish nations of the West know nothing of history other than the battles and victories they choose to flaunt. Afghanistan is a case in point. The arrogance of western empires both ancient and modern play out like a Waddington’s game of ‘Risk’ where territory and resources are all that matters. No account is taken of the ancient customs, the culture and beliefs, and their way of life. All ignored by British, Russian and American invaders, who in the end, vanquished by terrain and militia, withdraw.
Alex Cox
November 27, 2021Poetry meets politics partiularly pointedly here. Well done, and thank you!