»
Discussion
»
Poetry Challenge!
»
Poet deVine's freedom challenge - price of freedom
| Poetry Challenge! |
|
Poet deVine's freedom challenge - price of freedom |
|
|
brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland 
|
I had some notes for a poem about the Irish poltical problem and the "troubles in the North." I decided to use this challenge as a chance to work on that poem. I do not claim that what is expressed in this poem is accurate. I live in the south (the republic) and have yet to visit the North but I watched the turmoil on the television and studied the conflict at school. While things are still, as always shaky, we have a peace process and progress is being made. I like countless others only want peace and for the violence to end. I am not sure how well up everyone is on the troubles in the NOrth. I hope everyone can follow this. ================================== Green pastures, white flag, Orange Sash.(price of freedom). Lush green pastures, cattle grazing, stillness in the air. a gunshot shatters the peace, echoing through valleys it tolls the death bell of Michael Collins. Fresh dew meadow, the long grass where rabbits scurry, Thick tangled foliage camouflages the paramilitaries. Eyes narrow in a hatred stare through the sight lens of a rifle. Kill a protestant for every catholic claimed. Wait for them to retaliate. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth. It is the same God that damns us all. A tricolour waves in the wind upon the television screen, Amid the rumble and turmoil of marching season, Its green cloth is stained with countless deaths and cry of oppression Its orange cloth is stained with countless deaths and the stamp of domination. Its white cloth, the sign of peace, burns crumbling to charred ashes, black symbols of our politics. How long can a war rage, how long can hatred last? How long can you wear those death masks and call yourself a martyr, a political activist? CRIMINAL, COMMON CRIMINAL This is all you ever were. Betrayed Wolfe Tone and the fathers of Eire, you are not fighting for freedom. Orange sashes, banners and bowler hats. The battle drum signals a crushing defeat. This is not tradition, this is a celebration of victory. Salt old wounds and insist upon annually invading our territory. Some maddened spectators chant "Brits out, Brits out." And bloody war is raged, just like the old days English and Irish at each others throats. The riot police charge, dispensing "peace," tranquillity thro' violence it seems the one creed both sides can agree to. Ulster says no, No surrender. 32 counties, within 6 there are two boundaries. The divisions are scarred upon the country. Some where among the chaos two children play unaware that they are each other's enemy. So our Politicians get together, after much pantomime we make progress, shaky negotiations, so many setbacks and failures and sealed lips and bruised egos. Finally one word hangs on the mouths of a country "Cease fire" and we all breathe a sigh of relief. This will never ease Omagh's mortar grief, a tragedy unparalleled, all killed were innocence. Is this the price for freedom, is this the price for peace? Lay down your arms and put to rest your murderous beliefs. "An abyss that lasted creation A circus complete with all fools Foundations that lasted the ages Then ripped apart at their roots" joy division [This message has been edited by brian madden (edited 06-25-2000).] |
||
| © Copyright 2000 brian madden - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Some where among the chaos two children play unaware that they are each other's enemy. ---------------- Im SO glad you wrote this... as you know ever since I met you and found out were from Ireland....i have been curious about this centuries old war. We have grown up seeing those images in teh news here in the US, but I could never fathom children growing up where bomb jsut go off in a civilian street. and all in the "name" of religion and God. as always you did an amazing job and see things with such fairness and depth. the line I highlighted says it all great writing Bri. later-peace-gator jm baby dont you work so hard for this prize you've found, it will all be gone-when you turn around, cause nothing lasts forever anyway. Rick Roberts |
||
|
brian madden Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374ireland |
Hi Jan, it has been going on a while. It stems back to the plantations and beyond, it is at least 400 years old. I think God and land has little to do with it. The IRA (IRB as it was back then) which at one stage during the turn of the 20th century was a honourable group, they were fighting against oppression. Today's group are just criminals, thugs are murderers who go under the guise of freedom fighters. The troubles in the north has eased off, at one point their were armed soliders in the street. The last bomb to explode was the Omagh bombing. Usually the group give warning this one exploded without warning in a busy shopping centre. I find this to be the most ironic thing, the Irish flag is suppose to symbolise peace (white) between North (orange) and South (green). Prehaps one day it will be a reality. thanks for your wonderful response. "but for the lovers, their arms Round the griefs of the ages, Who pay no praise or wages Nor heed my craft or art" Dylan Thomas. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
