I once lived in a city
with bridges and walls
Some to connect and the
others to divide
In Belfast they call those
walls peace lines
It allows communities to
live by partition
Behind dark walls hearts remain
fractured
Peace lives within habits
of mutual suspicion
Old hatreds fester to poison
next generations
Some reach out to try and
build a better future
Constructed from new trust
and cultural respect
Old hatreds still exist when
neighbours live apart
Political bridges have
been rebuilt from words
Many have met in the
middle to repair tensions
It’s so much easier to
share life’s opportunities
When both sides can be clearly
seen by everyone…
Eileen T O’Neill
12/06/2019
"Behind dark walls hearts remain fractured..." These long hatreds seem impossible to overcome. But the Berlin Wall did fall, so that means there is always hope. A wonderful poem, Eileen.
ReplyDeleteThis is so evocative. You are right .. old hatreds tend to exist between neighboring countries though I wish that wasn't the case. May peace prevail!❤️
ReplyDeleteNorthern Ireland must have been a challenging place to live. I suppose those old divisions have not disappeared and in reality probably never will completely,
ReplyDeleteIt is so, hard to live with dark walled hearts~ I love your ending-the chance to be clearly seen! Bravo, for going there!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wonder if only there was a bridge, communications would have been so comfortable and better. But no. Present world is a bridge-less, post truth world. A very much thought provoking poem, Eileen.
ReplyDeleteThis is sadly our world today. We build more walls than bridges, and then wonder why we are at odds with each other. A very, very good poem, Eileen!
ReplyDelete"Peace lives within habits of mutual suspicion" so true
ReplyDeletewise and wonderful contemplation's
" Political bridges have been rebuilt from words
ReplyDeleteMany have met in the middle . . . "
These give us hope that the walls will be taken down eventually. Meanwhile, if walls could be safety and not just breeders of hate, I would welcome them. So good to see you posting here, Eileen.
"In Belfast they call those walls peace lines
ReplyDeleteIt allows communities to live by partition
Behind dark walls hearts remain fractured
Peace lives within habits of mutual suspicion"
Chilling lines. Beautiful poem, Eileen.
How can we build bridges if we cannot fix the problems that raised the walls in the first place... but sadly, there just doesn't seem to be the will to do this and hearts as you rightly say- remain fractured.
ReplyDelete