Review of "War Rug" by Henri Cole

"War Rug" by Henri Cole was offered by Poets.org's Poem-A-Day on October 29, 2013.  A link to the poem, including the poet's notes, may be found here:

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/23734

Henri Cole (b. 1956) has published numerous books of poetry, taught at several prestigious colleges and universities, and is the recipient of many awards and fellowships.  A detailed biography may be found here:

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/1083?utm_source=PAD%3A+War+Rug+by+Henri+Cole&utm_campaign=poemaday_102913&utm_medium=email


The poet reveals in his notes that over the past generation, the patterns woven into Afghan rugs have shifted from traditional animals and people to depictions of the modern weapons of war.  The poem ends with a chilling scene of an Afghan boy perhaps aiming a rifle, perhaps playing with a dog, or perhaps seconds from being shot.