remember

remember roadblocks
barricades blown-up shops
bombed-out hotels
the weeping rain
tears for peace wept in vain
prayers prayed hopes for change
the desperation and the pain
the walls between shankill and falls
the troops in armoured cars
their rifles trained at beating hearts 
as we crossed queen’s bridge

remember airport queues
passport checks questions asked
demanding answers
why have you come?
where are you going?
who are you seeing”
when are you leaving?
they were bad times
they were sad times
for communities for families
for thousands of lives lost
to bullets and bombs

remember mo mowlam
the poisoned chalice she picked up
her empathy her understanding
for victims and survivors
her humanity 
in bringing together
that hallowed good friday
a country divided
through a commitment
to mutual respect civil rights
and religious liberties

let never come the day
when tears for peace
when prayers prayed
when hopes for change
and mo’s pertinacity
will all have been in vain

@ rowland paul hill  3 Feb 2019