I stood on Leppings Lane
In the summer of ‘62
And cheered on Bolton Wanderers
As the best team as you do
They weren’t of course
Not by a mile
The exuberance of youth
Partisan and prejudice
A long way from the truth
And people cheer on Churchill
And memories of the war
But things are never simple
And fighting leaves a scar
And dear old Neville Chamberlain
Who tried so hard for peace
A film may rehabilitate
Wonders never cease
To view events from hindsight
Distorts the truth of things
Events around us happening now
Gives us a surer ring
And people on the stage of life
Overtaken by events
A film can help us live again
The pain and fear they felt
Avoiding war is vital
That’s the lesson we must learn
Stand and face the enemy
His feelings now discern
For guns and bombs are only things
It’s our anger and our fear
That needs our fixed attention
To bring all parties near
Brian Fahy
15 December 2021
Erris Poetry 