Occupation

So dear to my heart

Those boots of oppression

that held you in chains,

stopped your lifeblood

from flowing.

 

They fed your soul

with the oxygen of survival,

with the need to live

a life free from castration.

 

And hence you survived

occupation by the Brits

who starved your world

of hope.

 

Who slayed your young

and tried to enslave

you in the treacle

of service,

 

But who simply

left you bereft

and craving

freedom.

 

15/10/23

Reviews

[D. Mansfield]

I well remember the days of "the orange", and Ira bombs going off everyday. Being a youth in the states at the time, I was fed the propaganda our government dolled out, but I always had a secret, place in my heart for the oppressed, call them Ira or anything you choose, where/who I'm from. . .we fight. . Great poem

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much. It is a cause that was close to my father's heart and now to my own. I lone to see Scotish independence and Irish unity.

[M]

Not sure who the "who" is in your poem but there are plentiful countries and people who have been oppressed and occupied throughout the course of time. Those chained will always strive to be free. A work of intrigue.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you for reading. This refers to the British occupation of Ireland.

[Arundass TP]

The first four lines. I really liked because it's fact of one's life. Altogether excellent poem 👍

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you ATP

[W. Barrett Munn]

excellent work as is the tradition from Kavanagh to Heaney
Winston

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Winston. Have eradicated the repeated word!