(we regret the loss of)
civilian casualties
(we regret the loss of)
innocent bystanders
independent observers
unembedded reporters
(we regret the loss)
(we regret the)
Ministry of Finance
(we regret the)
Press Building
(we regret)
(we regret)
the Ministry of Culture
Children’s Hospital
the pharmaceutical facility
(we)
(regret)
(regret)
(regret)
(the loss of)
doctors
(the loss of)
(the loss of)
(we)
nurses
(we)
(regret)
(the loss)
(of)
medical supplies
(the lossof)
syringes
(the lossof)
pain killers
(the lossof regret we)
(regret)
history
(the loss of)
(we apologize)
(we’re sorry for your)
geographical location
house
your market
(we regret the)
(regret)
the bridge across the river
(our condolences for)
(our deepest sorrow)
(our commiseration)
(our pity for)
your baby
your wife
your son
your husband
(we regret the)
(thethethethethethethethe)
(we regret the)
values
(we insist)
(we claim)
(we maintain)
(we regret the)
liberation
(the lossof)
oil
(we regret)
the country
(we maintain the regret of)
(we do regret)
freedom
(we regret the)
constitution
(we regret the lossof)
(we regret the lossof)
freedom of press
(we do)
(we do)
(we do so regret)
freedom of speech
(the lossof the lossof the lossof)
(the)
right to a fair trial
(thethethethethethethethe)
right to counsel
(we regret the)
(we)
(we)
(we)
(we regret)
(we so regret)
(we do so regret)
(we do hereby declare)
(we swear on our mothers)
(we swear on the flag)
(we swear on the bible)
(we swear on the corporation)
(we’re sorry)
(the number you have dialed)
(we’re so sorry)
(we sincerely apologize)
(we can’t express our)
(we regret the loss of)
Copyright 2007, 2023 by Mike Maggio
This poem originally appeared in my collection, deMockracy (Plain View Press, 2007), partially funded by a grant from The Puffin Foundation.
