Words can be created aforethought
as if they had always been present,
yet neo-words such as “Incrementalist”
seem to erase the past.
For example
Saddam has weapons of mass destruction,
is about to use these weapons immediately,
and ordered “yellow cake” from Niger
Remove and kill Saddam!
Attack Iraq preemptively and now!
Liberate the Iraqi people!
Saddam didn’t use weapons of mass destruction
yet he has–had–or might have had them
and they will be found–eventually
Saddam’s voice is on the radio!
The liberators ass’ are on the line!
Iraq is Occupied!
[insert Incrementalist retort]
“Saddam might have had plans
to have weapons of mass destruction
and immediately ordered desert.”
HAMMOND GUTHRIE is the author of AsEverWas: Memoirs of a Beat Survivor. He is the editor of the great online journal The 3rd Page. He can be reached at: writenow@spiritone.com
© 2003– HAMMOND GUTHRIE