I Am a Mute Iraqi, With a Voice
by Weam Namou, who lives in Baghdad. She is 36 yrs
old.

I am an Iraqi
but was never asked, personally,
what was better?  
Saddam threatening to destroy me if I crossed him,
politically?
Or tons of depleted uranium, napalm,
bullets, explosives
and other unfamiliar concoctions,
besieging me
at some hidden corner of my street?

I am an Iraqi,
but was never asked, personally,
what did I want?  
Freedom to vote for men and women I know little about,
who may or may not better my life,
or to safely be able to step out of my house?

I am an Iraqi,
but was never asked,
do I want democracy
or the tradition of my ancestry?

I am an Iraqi,
but was never asked, personally,
by those who've come to rescue me,
"have we really benefited you, my dear,
since the day we came near?
Or have we simply made a mess
of your country?"