As the weekend’s protest thread continues, this poem looks at what we count — and what we choose not to.
VJ’s article on holding to a deeper “why” nudged me toward this poem — a poignant protest shaped by questions of time, land, and what we risk by looking away.
Her story is below—the spark behind this poem.
>> Having a Why – One Woman’s Quest
Also, over at Weekly Prompts, the Weekend Challenge is the word Invasive. To visit their fabulous site, please click >> Here
Handless Watchbands, or Who’s Counting
How many grains of sand
are left in the ancient hourglass?
Why are the Holy grasslands
a desert full of misguided missiles
and handless watch bands?
How many missiles
do the leaders in Versailles
have to count
before the amount
is called genocide?
For what we cannot look away from, let the song bear witness.
Ivor Steven © April 2026
Ivor.Plumber/Poet 
You are so right in saying we cannot look away! They are truly as detached from reality as old Louis XIV was while perched in Versailles!
LikeLiked by 2 people
At the moment reality seems very surreal …
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, Ivor! The song is haunting and your poem is starkly pertinent. It’s all so disheartening.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, the song’s lyrics about hunting the little wren seemed very pertinent, VJ … Lankan are a great Irish that I follow 🎶🌏🥰📖
LikeLiked by 2 people
So good
LikeLiked by 2 people
A very hard hitting poem
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’d hate to be on the receiving end of all the hard hitting missiles, Sadje
LikeLiked by 2 people
Every body would think that. But those who really are being hit day and night, have no say in the matter. ☹️🙁
LikeLike
I hear you, Ivor. 🙂
LikeLike
💜💜💜
LikeLike