Poems from Kosovo War Poetry, plus background to the war in Kosovo and the rest of Serbia and Montenegro (Yugoslavia)

One poem in Kosovo War Poetry that has been widely studied is The Pilots Testament. An Englishman, whose earliest memories are of German bombers overhead, considers the bombing of Yugoslavia to be a crime against humanity. Having discussed the morality of bombing with a British bomber pilot he describes a bombing mission from a pilot's point of view. He listens to the anguish of participants on the ground and tells the stories from both sides. He comments on the media presentation of contemporary warfare and has things to say about issues of terrorism, war, and peace

An introductory essay which now seems unfair to the Serb position, explores the causes, development and consequences of the violence in Serbia and Kosovo.

The Pilot's Testament

I seek no glory.

I bear no anger.

I hate no man.

 

I do the unspeakable

on behalf of the ungrateful.

I bomb targets chosen by others.

 

I have surrendered my will

to a higher authority.

I trust the cause to be right

and the methods appropriate.

There is no place for questioning.

There can be no other way.

 

I do my duty.

You can rely on me.

I will not let you down.

Though my task may be dangerous,

neither fear nor doubt

will prevent me.

 

Consider me.

Physically and mentally

my ability is exceptional.

My judgement and reflexes

are trained to perfection.

I am chosen from the elite,

the very best.

Many accord me

great respect.

 

I possess power beyond imagination.

Like a god I roar through the heavens,

miraculous,

immaculate,

invulnerable,

supreme,

the earth beneath me,

the whole of creation

available to me,

awaiting my quick shot

of death and destruction.

 

My victims are unaware of me.

I am unaware of my victims.

 

They go about their lives

not knowing only a few seconds remain.

 

We are arriving

at the appointed time and place.

At a touch I fix their fate.

 

Moments later,

in mid conversation,

a flash,

and they are gone.

 

I cannot pretend it was difficult.

Their will was done,

and I, merely an instrument of death.

I did my duty,

but I accept no guilt.

 

I come down to earth

as a man among men,

unmarked, unrecognised,

unremarkable, unnoticed:

I easily blend.

 

I am not available for comment.

I am not an item of news. The story is elsewhere.

 

I return to my family

as if nothing has happened.

 

David Roberts   

15- 22 December 1999

Copyright © 1999 Kosovo War Poetry, David Roberts