Gonzalo in prison

So the bastards have taken Gonzalo Lira,

Thrown him into some dank Nazi dungeon,

Silenced that happy spirit, that sharp wit,

That entertainer of crowds even as he analyzed

The times he lived in with as profound insights

As any boring professor. Above all

They have silenced the man of courage, who stayed on

In Kharkov despite bombs, missiles and raids

By the Gestapo, so as to bear witness

To what was happening, to counteract the torrents

Of lies, propaganda, and despicable falsehoods

From the mainstream media. He is one of the witnessses

Of our time, one of the truth-tellers, in an age

Enslaved to the Empire of Lies. May the thoughts

Of all those who appreciated your work

Support you now in the hard times facing you.

Courage, old friend of so many total strangers,

May we hear from you again sooner than we fear,

And rejoice with you at your liberation.

Michael Antony