Reckoning Time, France

On the occasion of Algeria's Eid Ath-Thawra (War of Independence Day, November 1st, 2014), I wrote the following brief "poem".

Reckoning Time, France!

Poem by Taoufik Nadji

For all the crying trees,

for all the multi-deaths,

for all the weeping mothers,

for all the hiding fathers, 

come out!

For all the tortured souls,

for all the mutilated limbs,

for all the burned skins,

for all the forgotten mother tongs,

shout out!

For all the pillaging,

for all the draining,

for all the grinding,

for all the eclipsing,

shine some truth betwixt!

For all the empty claims of "Egualite',"

for all the unfriendly "Fraternite',"

for all the oxymoronic "Liberte',"

for all the uncivil acts of "Civilization,"

lower the gaze,

hunch the back,

redden the cheeks,

and let out the words, France,

"Je suis desolais, Algerie!"

After Thought: All true civil nations that wronged their former colonies or any group of people issued apologies. France is the only "civilized" country that still refuses to face its obligation toward the Algerians who were tortured and killed during the French occupation of Algeria.

Appeal: I appeal to the French citizens to demand that their government issue an immediate unequivocal apology to the people of Algeria for 130 years of subjection  intimidation, and brutality. And, even go further and provide long overdue war reparations for the still surviving victims of its uncivil acts! It is the only right thing to do in order for France to reclaim its civil status amongst nations and live true to its French revolution slogan. Merci!