Notes on the Civil War

by Ger Duffy

I

My sons, on hunger strike
Without trial or charges,
are lying at death’s door.

II

Sepia photograph of wedding party,
within 14 months,
the groom signed a death warrant
for his best man and school friend.

III

The Four Courts façade,
Michael Collins, in offensive position
On the stairs of a building.
In memoriam.

IV

Department of Propaganda — War News
Attached is a memo,
Ná bac leis.

V

If my son’s die
I shall take steps
to have you indicted for their murder.

VI

Destroyed by the Black and Tans
before he was arrested.
I repeat these particulars.

Reproduced with kind permission of the author. This poem was composed in a Poetry as Commemoration workshop at the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) on 12th of October, 2023. The workshops were led by poet Christodoulos Makris.