Michael Davitt (1846 – 1906)

Champion of liberty and justice

I was not evicted from my home

I was not forced to leave the farm

I did not do factory work at 9

I did not at 11 lose an arm

I did not hear vitriol from the crowd

Hatred for my self and for my race

I did not join a republican cabal

I was not regarded with disgrace

I have never served a term inside

Seven long years of penal servitude

I have never had to choose which side

Of power struggles is worthy of my pride

Davitt was in the right all along

Oppression was his teacher from the first

Injustice will cause violence to erupt

If those in power do not for justice thirst

Like Dives and Lazarus of old

In that famous story Jesus told

Only those by draughty winds made sore

Have energy to get up and close the door

Brian Fahy

4 May 2021