Monuments
By Karl-Erik Paasonen
Where are the statues for civilians killed?
I want monuments for the victims
Where are the statues for the dead of Hanoi?
I want monuments for the victims
And where are the statues for Australians with pride
Who refused to take part in fratricide
And spent time in prison, spat on, vilified?
I want monuments for the victims.
Don't give me that crap about saving your country
I want monuments for the victims
Defending your women and your way of life
I want monuments for the victims
And don't try to tell me that the land of your birth
Was threatened by people half way round the earth
And well done for defending America's turf
I want monuments for the victims.
And when we hear about needing to reconcile
I want monuments for the victims
Those poor, poor bastards who answered the call
I want monuments for the victims
And yes, it was horror; yes, it wrecked lives
And yes, the men suffered: wars warp people's lives
Suffering? Ask the Vietnamese who survived
I want monuments for the victims.
Cos who did the hurting? Who were the hurt?
I want monuments for the victims
Who were the tortured? Who were the burnt?
I want monuments for the victims
And who gave the orders, whose was the voice
So Australian men thought they had no choice
But to save another country's political ends?
I want monuments for the victims
What will we see next in the hero-stakes?
I want monuments for the victims
The crook-necked heroes of the Gulf War?
I want monuments for the victims
I cry for the dead of Iraq and Kuwait
Who died so we could drive round in state Conquering heroes? No.
I want monuments for the victims
So give us the statues, give us them soon
I want monuments for the victims
For the dead of Vietnam and the Kalkadoons
I want monuments for the victims
Time Australia paid its dues
To this country's owners, who we've treated like Jews
To those who resisted war, those who refused And to women and children raped and abused
But most, to the dead, whatever their views.
I want monuments — for all the victims.