Invasion

Some background The poet was born in Iraqui Kurdistan Iraq invaded Kurdistan and persecuted its people, killing thousands of Kurds between 1987 and 1989 The poem is from the point of view of the Kurds, waiting for an approaching invasion. Kurds fleeing their homes to safety A terrified Kurdish boy

Soon they will come. First we will hear the sound of their boots approaching at dawn then they’ll appear through the mist. In their death-bringing uniforms they will march towards our homes their guns and tanks pointing forward. Personal pronouns highlights the sense of “them” and “us” Caesura adds to the sense of threat Builds anticipation A sinister image Suggests that once they wear the uniform, they become killers A threatening position

They will be confronted by young men with rusty guns and boiling blood. These are our young men who took their short-lived freedom for granted. We will lose this war, and blood will cover our roads, mix with our drinking water, it will creep into our dreams. Keep your head down and stay in doors – we’ve lost this war before it has begun. Contrasts with the well-armed soldiers in line 6 Alliteration emphasises anger Emphasises the tragic waste List of verbs highlights the amount of blood loss and its effect Sense of hopelessness – there is no point fighting back Personal pronouns

Links to other poems War and fighting – Our Sharpeville, Belfast Confetti, Exposure, The Drum Fear and threat – Parades End, Our Sharpeville, The Drum, Belfast Confetti Injustice – The Drum, Half-Caste, Cousin Kate, The Class Game, Your Dad Did What? Parade’s End