A LOVE POEM FROM THE U.S. CAMPAIGN TO THE ICBL

I just want to say
On this very important day
A few words of thanks
To the ICBL ranks

Sylvie for holding us together all
Nancy and Amelie always lining up a call
Olivia connected to her emergency wires
Annette, Serena, Patrick—putting out fires

Steve speaking eloquently on behalf of us all
Tamar with her policy brain always on the ball
Katie recording every single stutter
Kasia, our rally point, sadly cut off in mid-utter

We have memories and moments to carry us through
Like watching the Rumble make Thomas black and blue
And we can count on Jody to cut right thro’it
And properly call it when it’s really just bull$#%!

All caught on film thanks to Giovanni and Mette
And don’t forget our regional coordinators who couldn’t have been bette[r],
Mary and Fred for keeping us on in fo-cose [focus],
Our Colombian members who welcomed us gringos.

It’s been a tough road to lay
In the ol’ U. S. of A.
To get them to join
Like constantly flipping a coin

They’ve been mean in the past
And it just cannot last
But with your help here this week
We have managed to speak

So thanks for your aid
A real difference we’ve made
Now they’re one step closer to accession
Because with them we keep messin’

To the USCBL, thanks of course
To the ICBL/CMC staff—you are a true force
But also to the rest
I just think you’re the best

So to Firoz much gratitude
For his great attitude
And the group of survivors he led
Who beat the U.S. on the head

And to Jackie and Justin
And the youth who like bustin’
Myths of landmine utility
Spoken with true nobility

And I give much appreciation
To those who spoke to your delegation
Urged them to approach the U.S. and ask
And to take them to task

You pushed those delegates into a delirium
Richard, Portia, Judith, Maria, and Miriam
You helped increase all those voices
Much reducing the U.S.’s choices

And lest Ema I not forget
Who I better minister from Palau I’ve never met
The American she did not chagrin
But nodded politely and took it on the chin

That’s just to name a few
But thanks to all campaigners old and new
While overwhelmed I was at the start
Now I know we speak with one heart

I’m proud to be part of the team
Together we shine like one lighthouse beam
From Cartagena we’ll march across these lands
Mission possible is in our hands!

By: Zach Hudson of USCBL