...the older I become, the less rational the world appears... I care not for the arguments and posturing that dress themselves as nationalistic, religious, political or downright greed... when a young man standing HONOUR GUARD in memory of those fallen in horrendous global conflicts around the planet is gunned down under some pretence of a deluded fanatic’s ‘righteousness’, my soul screams out, ‘Enough’! ....how present are the words of the song that ask ‘when will they ever learn?’ ..the ‘they’ being all of the creeds, nutters, even well-meaning hawks of all nationalities... last year, I unashamedly admit I was reduced to tears watching the televised Remembrance Service at London’s Cenotaph... getting older myself, I have more inkling of just how precious life is... some of that emotion returned in spades yesterday with the symbolism of the War Memorial next to which a young man’s life was needlessly taken... I want to reprint here, before the whole swathe of November 11th’s internet stuff swamps the Web, the poem I wrote last year watching that service, and humbly dedicate it to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo: TELL ME, JOHN, LET ME HERE IT ONCE Tell me, John, let me hear it once From beyond the grave wherein you lie. Tell me once, that I may know Why the Hell did you have to die? Now that I myself am growing old As you were not allowed to do, When your country went to War, Killing them, and us, and you. Is Humanity so bereft Of sense and sensibility? That murder dressed as War Is the tip of Man’s ability? Yes, my dear, I understand There’s times to right the wrong When Nation pits at Nation To prove which one is strong. But feel each mother’s loss The angst, the grief, the pain It’s no use telling them, ‘Let them not have died in vain’. For every priceless child that’s gone, Every precious son and daughter, There can ne’er be salve enough To ease the cost of slaughter. So, yes, let us remember, Not the glory, nor the killing Nor the rant of politicians Sending us to do their willing. Yes, please, Tell me, John, let me hear it once From beyond the grave wherein you lie. Tell me once, that I may know Why the Hell did you have to die? Seumas Gallacher 11.00 am, November 10th, 2013
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 14:41:26 +0000