Two programmes I saw recently
About murder and the killer
One set in South Wales
In Tiger Bay
The other was in Sweden
Two murders linked as one
It took some time to find the man
Meticulous search was done
In Cardiff they were not so slow
But quick to call the tune
Despite a white man sighting
Black men would meet their doom
South Wales Police
Like lots of folk
Prejudiced and jaundiced view
Decided to get confessions
Not interested in what was true
In Sweden then by contrast
A slow psychologist
Gained the trust with every interview
The meetings there were civilised
No browbeating no shout
The woman knew the game plan
Knew what she’s about
Police they are not angels
They are like the rest of us
Good bad and indifferent
‘Don’t give a tinker’s cuss’
The work itself must scar them
Indeed can brutalise
But woe betide the copper
Who thinks he should despise
Woe betide the rest of us
If we lose a true respect
For people in their misery and pain
We need an honest police force
Honest judiciary
If we’re to have a justice worth the name
Brian Fahy
13 September 2021
Erris Poetry 