For Jo Cox
I’m thinking of the man who murdered Archduke Ferdinand
and how that shot would ricochet
along the trenches of the Somme, loud enough to echo
on the far side of the world. And all the men since then
who levelled the barrel of premeditated guns
and took aim at life, as though that could solve anything.
I’m thinking of the awful randomness of a death
that someone chooses for you
without permission, while all your future selves collapse
into a bullet hole. And afterwards, the press
decides if your killer was a mad lone wolf
or a terrorist, as if these two are mutually exclusive.
I’m thinking of that philosophical distinction we all make
between nature and nurture, although
motives are seldom pure and never simple –
and how they say there’s no free will at all;
that the finger muscles squeeze down on the trigger
before the brain dispatches the command.
What a stunning start to the anthology.
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Thanks Angi!
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This is a scary poem – as it should be – and as it is intended to be.
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Agreed.
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Reblogged this on Writers for Calais Refugees.
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Having worked for many years with murderers, this resonates … 😞.
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In what capacity Cath? x
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Probation\Parole Officer for three decades.
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Yes, as a one-time probation officer, I agree totally ….. with profound sadness
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Yes profound.
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‘while all your future selves collapse
into a bullet hole’
is a stunning line.
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🙂 I agree
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This is amazing
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Thanks everybody from your lovely comments. It means a lot. xxx
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Thanks from me too. You deserve them Judi. Stunning poem x
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It’s an excellent start to the anthology, very moving and powerful!
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words mould the world of tomorrow ?
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Reblogged this on smithsurf and commented:
Writers Against Prejudice: Poem 1 (For Jo Cox).
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Thanks!
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You’re welcome. X
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Reblogged this on cjheries.
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Thanks Christo!
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Powerful poem. I too very much like the future selves collapsing into a bullet hole line
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Yes means so much, on many levels.
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Reblogged this on Carolyn O' Connell.
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Thanks Carolyn x
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Thanks for sharing Mark!
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You’re welcome.
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