[Author's Note: In a television interview with Donald Rumsfield about the torture allegations at Abu Ghraib, he avoided the word "torture" replacing it instead with the euphemism "extraordinary rendition." Hence this poem:]

EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION

This is the term they use
To replace the word “torture”

Extraordinary rendition

That sounds like fun
like somebody adapted a mediocre book
into a top notch movie.

And oh it takes an extraordinary asshole
to call torture, "extraordinary rendition."

If you are going to commit mayhem,
could you at least please say her name?

She’s called Torture.

Say her name

Torture: the infliction of severe physical pain
as a means of punishment or coercion.

Torture: to let them bleed out slowly.

Torture

Is her name, her name

Torture

The Iron Maiden

The chastity belt

The hanging cages of Babylon

Torture

Thumbscrews

The wheel

Cat’s paw

Torture

Saint Elmos belt

The breast-ripper

Judas’ Cradle

The Heretics forks –

The anal pear

Torture

Say her name.

The instrument shown at the top is called "mutilation shears." I chose this particular torture device because of the strange dichotomy it represents. The mutilation shears are used to clean up after the torturing. For instance, if the torturer mangled your toes or fingers there would be bone and cartilage dangling, which would be a problem for the torture survivor. The mutilation shears cut off the excess bone and cartilage leaving the survivor with a healthy, clean dismemberment. Torture with a conscience I guess. What a world!