This Poem was written in 1992 to try and encourage healing and reconciliation in the community and a lasting Peace.I hoped to enjoy an atmosphere of calm,love and peace in my hometown of Belfast such as others experienced in vibrant cities such as Galway where people lived life with enjoyment.The theme obviously has a universal appeal.
A Nation’s Plight with Peace In Sight
My mind plays a game
Keep me sane
Make sure you behave urbane
People will trick you
and trip you up
So beware
Take courage do not despair
Play the fool
Be that tool
Don’t be too soft
Others will rise aloft
Hit you when you’re down
Enjoy it when you frown
Scapegoat or dummy
Butterflies in my tummy
Listen to their sneers as they cradle their beers
Does it help your fears
Or dry your tears
Forget the smears
Listen to my fable
I’ll tell you as well as I am able
A dream and prayer
Seem to develop
In the mise of a nightmare
Should it frighten or scare?
Raise a hair on my neck
Obliterate the speck in my eye
Or is it a log?
Thoughts,worries,fears dance in my mind
Like an irate frog
Who got lost in the smog
Associates I don’t really know
Cast opinions polemic
In a crowd they are brave
Do they really know
How to behave?
My soul I will save
Glad to be treated like a knave
Newspapers tansmit the evil parade
A Nation’s soul is in turmoil
Blind hatred and aggression are on the boil
Blood and corpse stain the soil
Cries of anguish fill the skies
Bitter men conceal the lies
Hearts of stone pollute minds
With negativity and fear
The cost of human life is never too dear
A country condemned
Would you label that queer?
Narrow minds are confused and struggle
When they see no light
At the end of the tunnel
Huddle our minds,hearts,souls in a funnel
Out at the end
Pour a dividend
A lasting peace we dare but hope
In the quagmire do not mope
Never look back
Keep plodding on
Pray for the new dawn
Spread sunlight on our faces
Remove bitter traces or scowls
Let us be wise
Like night owls
Go with the grain not against
Never let your mind become fenced
Almighty and saviour
Mend our behaviour
Embrace us once again
Pour out to us your love
Heal the rift with the elegance of a dove
Give politicians eloquent speech
Conquer armies that suck life and blood from the nation
And throw us in the gutter
With the stench that sticks and smells
As sterile as old butter
Release us O Lord from
This Purgatory or Hell
Bring us together make us well
Together we shall dwell
Enkindle us in the flame of love
Send forth your Holy Spirit
Let our people live with merit
A land we shall inherit
Our pride you will restore
Which will unlock the door
Past thoughts will be a bore
Heal the sore
Most of all
Let us walk tall
Be it in a street
or at a ball
Grant us eternal glory
Before nightfall
Copyright 1992 BRENDAN G QUINN