BALLYMONEY ‘98

( for the three Quinn boys, Richard (10), Mark (9), and Jason (8),

burned to death in a Loyalist fire-bomb attack on their Ballymoney

home on the 12th of July 1998. One of the children was heard

screaming that his feet were on fire .)

by

SEAMUS  ROBINSON   © 1998

 

In the early fore-morn light,

Commando-like we crept from night,

And breached the hostiles’ line.

Unseen and silent, no word said,

Ground well scouted, plan well laid,

We reached our target in good time.

 

Weapon check, then signal – go!

We fell upon the sleeping foe,

Like wolves upon a deer.

A crash of glass – and blazing sky –

Blood for blood and eye for eye –

We revelled in their screaming fear.

 

And then the order – disengage –

We stilled our hearts ‘gainst battle’s rage,

And left without head turning.

But carried high on our victory sky,

We heard the voice of a lost child cry :

“Mammy! Mammy!  My feet are burning!”

 

Mammy! Mammy!  My feet are burning …

 

 *          *          *

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