Via Dolorosa

(on U.S. killing of Nicola Calipari, head of Italy's Foreign Military Intelligence,
as he took Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena to safety in Baghdad)

Even that vicious scoundrel, Berlusconi,
In Mussolini's image, Bush's bind,
Disputes the U.S. version of events
Of how they shot an agent from behind.

Hundreds of bullets, four-inches in length,
Riddled the car bringing to sanctuary
Italian correspondent Giuliana,
Who had been taken hostage formerly.

She now is swimming in remorse because
Her savior died, whose blood upon her spilt.
The shame's America's, yet as Wilde said:
'Tis fearful to feel another's guilt.

Her guardian sacrificed his life in love
To shield her from the avalanche of flak.
Meanwhile, the best of U.S. valor is
To shoot unarmed civilians in the back.

March 2005