Lena

Poem to a British Soldier About to Die by Keira O'Byrne

Dear soldier,

your unmerited life will end by eve,

as on my glistening silver spoon,

will shine bright the moon,

for you the companions will grieve.

An Irishman will kill you as deserved,

for eight houndred years of demerit,

and eight houndred more to inherit,

because no other option occurred.

An Irishman will kill you to embody

his belief in democracy-

he believes in it solidly;

and in freedom for everybody.