The Empty City
No city, just rubble.
Solders in black play hide-and-seek,
We are East, West, North, South, they shout.
So we packed him away, our precious boy,
our precious child, packed him away
for a better life in a better place.
No city, just rubble.
And me an old lady, a widow wrapped in weeds,
wrapped in tears.
Daughter, daughter sit by my side.
Where are they, Mother?
Walking, walking. Gone all gone.
Maureen Weldon had the pleasure on 20th June 2016 of reading this poem in Waterstones Liverpool at the launch of ‘Lifejacket.’ She recently co-hosted an evening of Irish poetry, music and song.
Note: This poem was first published, ‘Lifejacket’ June 2016, editor Lew Kelly