Jonathan Chan

On ‘in Myanmar they have come for the poets’

I wrote this poem as a way of reckoning with the Tatmadaw's cruelty in Myanmar in the aftermath of its coup, as well as a response to poetry by Burmese poets, in particular ‘A letter from jail cell’ by the slain poet K Za Win. The extension of violence to innocent civilians of all backgrounds – children, religious leaders, youths – is and continues to be horrific. Having recently visited Myanmar in 2019, while also having friends of Burmese descent, I found myself sympathetic to the senses of dashed hope and horror the people of Myanmar are experiencing. Continued military rule cannot be tolerated, not least when such a regime promises to be a regression for the country on all fronts. I stand with the people of Myanmar against the atrocities of the Tatmadaw and would encourage everyone to donate to support Myanmar’s fight for democracy.

The art in this poem’s thumbnail is courtesy of © Kevin Thet (@sketchbook.kev).