At eyeshot,
Such threads of gloomy fog
in a coal black sky.
They claim to be God’s knights
And universe’s earthquake
They claim to be . . . the message’s protector
At eyeshot.
A blast echoes . . .

Holes scorched in the sky.
At eyeshot,
There was silence.
And waiting.
Towers fell down from the clouds,
The ground collected
The scattered bodies.
There was . . . a storm of crying.
And screaming.
All were hugging the air.
Drizzles of smoke drop,
Fall like a rain shower

Over the heaps.
I looked at my face in the mirror!
When evening came along,
City lights shined
On remains and corpses.
Is this another Baghdad?
One that collects its dead!
And sings a song at the Euphrates.
blue was the sky,
Silent was the ocean.
While embracing the city,
And the Statue of Liberty.     
Oh . . . New York.
Do they come from there?
Chasing us?
Let them come,
My heart is full of snow,
from winter and wintertime.
My heart is full of anger,
from fighting and killing.
My heart is full of sadness,

from weeping and mourning.                      
A wound has opened,
A tower has fallen!
My dear,
They do not love flowers,
Or jasmine.
They do not like farmers’ songs,
Nor do they like the rain.
They do not like fall whistling,
Or the summer sun rising.
They do not like winter nights.
At eyeshot,
Wherever I look,
I saw light.
I saw old people and children.
I saw orphans and heroes.
All are lifting
A tower
To the sky.
Oh . . . New York.
Oh . . . Baghdad.
Cowards are they,
Who kill from behind.


Paul Batou
My last thoughts about Iraq
Paulbatou.com

Biography:
I am  a native Iraqi artist .A 1982 pharmaceutical graduate of the university of Baghdad , But my most enduring interest remained the world of art . I did not bother to apply for the art school in Baghdad because the school was closed to the baathist party members only “the government “ . while in pharmacy school I was inspired by many teachers and artists. My first art show in Baghdad was in 1980 , opening a door that would lead my work to be featured in several galleries , later in 1982 I was forced to work as a pharmacist and a medic during the Iran-Iraq war for five years in the army , when it ended in 1989 , I left Iraq with my family and moved from Athens to Los Angeles. Here in the state I continue to create Art and write poems and recently I published my first book in 2007 “My last thoughts about Iraq” which I shared the Iraqi’s thinking and thoughts during the long years of war , Sanction the  fall of the great civilization of Mesopotamia .I am one artist among many. My colors are united in one piece of art ,reflecting the tone of the earth , the language of the universe , the cry and pain of the oppressed people. On my canvas , the black  , red and white are in harmony just like my soul . I would love all people to achieve that kind of unity .