KILLING FIELDS

Written at the height of the IRA bombing campaign.

Does a gun fit comfortably into the hand?
Does the steel feel smooth and polished?
Is it easy to squeeze those few millimetres?
Before the smash of bones into unprovoked oblivion.

Did the smell of blood and cordite mix?
Or the revelation of bone through flesh harmonise
In the mind.  Did you laugh or cry?
Did you feel as they died that it was worth it?

What do you talk about when you mix your recipe
Of Semtex clocks batteries and nails?
What do people, children, look like
When you put your semtex baby in the bin?

Do you smile and say hello!
Maybe buy a newspaper, the last he'll ever sell!
Do you wait to see your handiwork?
Or watch it on News at Ten from your comfortable hotel.

Do they congratulate you on your success?
"Twelve Killed, Thirty injured"
Two hundred families ruined,
A doctor a Surgeon, a cancer patient a baby.

Your Protestant and Catholic gods
Have a lot to answer for.
Will the real God please step forward,
The one who said "Thou shalt not kill"

When you have murdered half our families
To set your country free.
Will it be free, no unemployment, equal rights, no inflation.
All worshipping one murderous god of your own making.

Will it be worth it?
What will you tell your grandchildren?
When it isn't perfect who will you blame it on then?
Tell us please we are actually concerned for your happiness.

We will pray for you and watch out for you
We will make plans for you and send you our youth.
To dance on your landmines and run your bitter gauntlet.
The medicine is no sweeter here!!!