Innocent (I wasn't there) by Bob MacKenzie - The Ontario Poetry Society, Poetry in Cobourg
Channel: Bob MacKenzie - poet, novelist, performer
Date: 2013-05-22

Bunny Iskov, founder and president of The Ontario Poetry Society, invited me to perform a Showcase Reading of my poems at the Society's annual event, Poetry in Cobourg, on Sunday, May 19, 2013.  Here's video, warts and all, of one piece from that performance.  

Special thanks to Cobourg poet Wally Keeler for joining me in that performance and also for providing additional cameras to shoot this video and to Wally Keeler and Wes Ryan for their camerawork.  

"Innocent (I wasn't there)" was written by Bob MacKenzie.  The "charges" at the beginning were written by Hugh Walter Barclay, who also created the excellent lino-cut prints that illustrate the book.  The limited edition numbered art-book "Innocent (I wasn't there)" is published by and is available from The Hellbox Press (http://theehellbox.wordpress.com/newest-releases).

"Innocent (I wasn't there)" was originally performed by the group Poem de Terre as a track on their "War & Love" album.  You can hear the original recording of "Innocent (I wasn't there)" and other tracks by Poem de Terre at http://www.myspace.com/longtimepassing.  You can purchase "War & Love" on disc or download tracks at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/warandlove.

The following is the full text of "Innocent (I wasn't there)" including The Charges.  [As usual with YouTube, the text-format has been altered, removing line spaces.  I've not yet figured out how to prevent that.  My apologies.]

    The Court of Human Responsibility
    Jurisdiction: The Planet Earth

charges against
The Silent Majority and their Silent Governments

Count I   Complacency
Count II   Apathy
Count III   Failure to take responsible action
Count IV   Failure to report the actions of perpetrators
Count V   Failure to object to immoral orders
Count VI   Inhumane treatment of others
Count VII   Failure to recognize Human Rights
Count VIII    Failure to take civil responsibility
Count IX   Failure to act because of Intimidation
Count X   Accomplice to murder
Count XI   Accomplice to Starvation and Torture
Count XII   Murder in the first degree
Count XIII    Genocide

         Innocent (I wasn't there)

   [You stand accused of... Murder.  Murderer.]

   I stand innocent of all wrongdoing
   I stand innocent 
   I wasn't there

   [There are weapons...]

   When they enslaved Africa
   I wasn't there

   [There are weapons...]

   When they starved the Irish
   I wasn't there

   [Terrorists.  Communists.]

   When they murdered the Jews
   I wasn't there

   [Weapons.  Terrorists.]

   When they killed all the bison

   (I wasn't there)

   and they murdered the indians
   I wasn't there

   (I wasn't there)

   When the tribes killed each other
   in Africa, in Asia, in Europe
   I wasn't there

   (I wasn't there)

   And if I was, I was just following orders

   [Murder.  Murderer.  Murderer.  Murderer.  Murderer.  Murderer.]

   [You stand accused of... Murder.]

   I stand innocent of all wrongdoing
   I stand innocent 
   I wasn't there

   [Mass Destruction.]

   (I wasn't there.)

   How could I know
   How could I care

   (I wasn't there.)

   I wasn't there

   (I wasn't there.)

   [Weapons of Mass Destruction.]

   I just wasn't there

   (I wasn't there.  I wasn't there.  I wasn't there...)

   [You stand accused of Murder. Murderer. Murder.]

   [Mass Destruction]

   I wasn't there when Air India exploded
   when big jets were bombed around the world

   [Terror. Terrorists.]

   I wasn't there when the twin towers fell

   [Terrorists.]

   I wasn't there when they bombed the subways
   in Lisbon, in London, in Asia

   [Bombers. Bombers.]

   I wasn't there when they invaded the East
   all in Freedom's name

   [Biological Agents.]

   I wasn't there when they infiltrated Africa
   subverted South America, invaded the East again
   all in freedom's name

   [Agent. Orange.]

   And if I was, I was just following orders

   (I wasn't there.  I wasn't there.  I wasn't there...)

   I stand innocent of all wrongdoing
   I stand innocent 
   I wasn't there

   How could I know
   How could I care
   I wasn't there

   I just wasn't there

   [Murderer.]

   [Guilty.]

   I stand innocent

   [Guilty.]

   I wasn't there

   [Guilty.]

   I stand Innocent

   [Guilty.]

   I wasn't there

   [Guilty]

   I wasn't there

   [Guilty.]

   I just wasn't there

   [Guilty]