Detained

It’s difficult to reckon
With the short history
Of the 21st century 
Without acknowledging 
The detained,
Such as the Mauritanian,
Who were caught up
In the same maelstrom
That has battered
So much
Of this time.

Like so much else
It is a matter
That will be much-considered
For many years
To come.

And so we exist
In a Chinese curse:

May you live in interesting times.

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