SREBRENICA FORGIVENESS That bloodstain on the forehead of posterity with bloodied palms you want to erase hope bloodied you gave them in bloodied nightmares to suffocate Through bloodied soil you trudge in the dark your tired fingers grope feeling for the light where tears should be in your eyes blood sweat There devilish voices if you hear again those who put you on the path of blood those who hide behind God Beware more blood they desire those who deny and perjure barking blood day and night their tongues will chain you in their macabre dance to lock you Yet in the court of conscience truth only be told Let the truth emerge half of the bridge forgiveness the other half build Asking for forgiveness? Behold there it is in the eyes of a mother still mourning her children, in the graves of Srebrenica it may be There and there only it may be There and only there your salvation must be Ask: Raise your hand you whom I have killed raise both hands raise both hands with wire tied in the hour of death Place them on my heart Bless with pure water to wash my hands that bloodstain to erase posterity their head to raise Asking for forgiveness? Shout then Top of your lungs: Yes I am the henchman I am the killer I am guilty For nothing I have killed but their voracious hate-pit to fill Forgive me if you can I have shed your blood for your mercy now I beg I have built half of the bridge may your forgiveness the other half build And, who knows…? Merciful is the soul of Bosnia! — Haris Silajdzic has published a number of short stories and poems. He has been Prime Minister and Presiding of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.