A Rebel’s Way Out

by Ava Croghan

I was wounded and shot when I was brought
Into the barrack square,
As I was carried into that chair
I smiled to ease the pain,
I cannot understand why as a rebel
I shall die.
As I watch all eyes are on mine,
He gazes at mine with a rifle to my chest
I look at him eye to eye, I knew he was kind,
Not ready for me to die.
As my smile fades, it slowly turns to pain,
My wounds ill dressed
If I were to die, I die in vain as in knew
A deeper pain
Ready present is shouted at the man
He shakes his rifle as I smile.
My last word is fire to help ease his pain,
As a rebel this is how I shall die.

Written as part of Poetry as Commemoration workshops for Transition Years led by Terry McDonagh and Mary Melvin Geoghegan in Castlerea Community School, Roscommon, in  October 2023.