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21st century poetry Remembering Bloody Sunday and Who We Are

by PAUL LAUGHLIN

Remembering Bloody Sunday

In each day’s journey
To work or school
We retrace the footsteps of the dead
Behind small routines
We are mindful of what has been
And if innocence has fled
Their cries will not leave this place
While that offence remains

 

Who We Are

Let us again assure you
The murder of your families
Is not who we are

For the avoidance of doubt
The torture of your neighbours
Is not who we are

And it goes without saying
The detention of your children
Is not who we are

Simply setting the record straight
Collective punishment
Is not who we are

As in serving a higher purpose
The desecration of your dead
Is not who we are

We trust this allays any fears
As to who we are
And the values we uphold

Paul Laughlin is a former secretary of Derry Trades Union Council and is currently a director of The Bloody Sunday Trust in Derry whose slogan One World One Struggle is outward looking and internationalist, which spirit marked Nakba Day held in May 2023 with a series of events featuring Palestinian speakers. He has published three collections of poetry with Lapwing Press, Belfast

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