In the development-obsessed
Istanbul,
They angry Turks congregate
In millions now
For a different cause—
The Taksim Gezi Park,
The last of green lungs
For about 14 million residents,
In the name of growth,
The elite want an old Ottoman-era
Military barracks and a mall,
By quickly demolishing the Gezi Park
And an agitated public, its own park,
The conflict escalates,
Tear gas cans and water cannon and canes
Charge, trying to suppress popular voice;
In this now-classic war between armed rulers
And the peaceful ruled, bereft of any arms,
Trees crystallize old discontents, suppression of rights,
It is same everywhere now---
The SEZs (Special Economic Zones) vs. the dwindling farms and trees,
Somebody wise must stand up and tell the blind/deaf regimes
In such global hot spots:
If there won’t be the latter,
Even we won’t be, on a warming planet,
And your costly malls will become---
Upscale concrete mausoleums;
Hark!
Otherwise, more
Tahrir Squares to come!
