Men will have you put to death
And think they do a noble work for God
The work of twisted minds and troubled souls
A seed of hatred in the heart
Fed and watered from the start
Grows to greatness then explodes outside
Anger at injustice seen
Justifies aggression’s dream
Gives permission go and do the deed
God will then approve of me
I cleaned the slate set justice free
Now a martyr I will do the time
My friend, now tell me what wrong I’ve done?
Point it out beneath the sun
If nothing then why strike me? why assault?
The crowd shouts out and calls for blood
Calmer counsels understood
This is how it’s done – crucify!
Father forgive, the victim cries
They do not know hear only lies
Violence the only truth they know
But faith renounces evil’s force
And stands before the world’s concourse
In Pilate’s words I say, ‘Behold the man’
Brian Fahy
16 October 2021
+ In memory of David Amess M.P., stabbed to death 15.10. 2021.
Erris Poetry 