Station IV: Mother

We regret to inform you
34 people were killed in Iraq
On Wednesday.

We regret to inform you
The sick grow sicker and the hungry starve.

We regret to inform you
Your son may be held
In an undisclosed location
For questioning.

We regret to inform you
You may not touch his wounds
You may not speak his name.
Every moment is an eternity.

We regret to inform you
Four British soldiers were killed
Thursday
In an ambush in southern Iraq.
Five U.S. troops died in Baghdad.
An Army helicopter went down
South of the capital.

Renewed fighting in Afganistan:
Five Taliban and two policemen dead.
We regret to inform you
Dozens more were wounded.

We regret to inform you
Our patience is not unlimited.

We regret to inform you
Matthew, 18, and Alan, 20,
May have been killed
By friendly fire.

Gunmen opened fire on a minibus.
We regret to inform you.
Six men died. West of
Baghdad, 22 shepherds were abducted.

At least 34 people were killed
Or found dead in Iraq
On Wednesday.
Blessed Mother.
We regret to inform you
Your child carries a rifle
In Darfur.

We regret to inform you
Holy Lady
Your child is ready to kill.

We regret to inform you
You may not wipe the blood
From this face.

Holy Lady. Your children persevere
In hate and death worship.
We regret our regret.

We regret our information.
We beseech your love.
We beseech freedom
From our deadly dreams.

We beseech, Holy Lady,
Blessed Mother.