The Victim Poem by Isam Hussain

On a green field in town
sun-like floodlights shine
turning night into day.

A spot marks the victim’s place,
nets dangle from posts
like a hangman’s noose.

The murmur of spectators
ripples through the cold night;
officials make final preparations.

The victim appears,
thrown on the ground,
kicked about,
placed on the spot.

Two squads of uniformed men
surround the victim on all sides
waiting for the signal,
impatient for the fray

The whistle blows,
the victim shudders,
and like a vulture swooping on its prey,
the men converge from all directions.

Amid cheers and jeers
the victim is maltreated,
kicked from pillar to post,
cruelly head-butted.

The punishment continues,
there is no end in sight;
the victim submits to fate,
prays for a quick release.

Suddenly there’s a blackout;
the pain stops.
(Football Stadiums have been used as interrogation centres by dictators)