James

by Ann Heffernan

I wonder about young strapping lads
about youth freely given
or taken

I wonder about girls, women
unnamed
unremembered

I wonder in hindsight
What might you change
Do differently
Do again

I wonder about your people
Who’s carrying what
I wonder
Was it all worth it

Reproduced with kind permission of the author. This poem was composed in Poetry as Commemoration workshops held at Bantry Literary Festival in July 2023. The workshops were led by writer Thomas McCarthy.

Bureau of Military History Witness Statement: James O’Sullivan, Rock Villas, Bantry, Co. Cork. O/C, Bantry Company, Bantry Battalion, Cork