When Bush invaded Iraq in 2003 I was horrified as Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and Iraq did not have the means, nor the intent to pose a threat to the U.S.
At that time I was writing vocal music and decided to set a poem written by the first known anti-war woman poet, and, coincidentally, she lived about 2500 years ago in what is now Iraq.
Here's the poem:
Lament to the Spirit of War
You hack everything down in battle....
God of War, with your fierce wings
you slice away the land and charge
disguised as a raging storm,
growl as a roaring hurricane,
yell like a tempest yells,
thunder, rage, roar, and drum,
expel evil winds!
Your feet are filled with anxiety!
On your lyre of moans
I hear your loud dirge scream.
Like a fiery monster you fill the land with poison.
As thunder you growl over the earth,
trees and bushes collapse before you.
You are blood rushing down a mountain,
Spirit of hate, greed and anger,
dominator of heaven and earth!
Your fire wafts over our land,
riding on a beast,
with indomitable commands,
you decide all fate.
You triumph over all our rites.
Who can explain why you go on so?
Poem by Enheduanna, translation by Daniela Gioseffi
Soprano - Katy Stephan, music by Jerry Gerber, 2003.