https://audioboom.com/boos/4835479-lost-on-bastille-day-new-poem-by-paul-o-mahony
Lost on Bastille Day
‘Let them eat heads
and suck sockets dry
before they answer “Why”‘.
I’ve lost my count of children
– the adults never counted –
lost to the flags of war.
It’s said that ten valuable ones
were crushed on Thursday night
promenading where the English played.
Others say Fallujah girls and boys
were incinerated over falafels
and their fathers cried for ever.
If there are any grandchildren awaiting birth
they’ll be primed like birds of prey
to strike without warning.
Will you count the loss for us?
From Bath to Cork with baby Grace 
I have difficulty talking about these things and putting them into words, so I truly appreciate this. So much loss, so many children that are just becoming numbers.
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Very well written Paul, powerful and concise. I’m loving your quotations on left too. My favourites are actually yours and Mary Oliver’s.
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Oh thank you very much Multinetsystems. It’s very encouraging to get your feedback. (As you can imagine I get little here)
Mary Oliver is my favourite living poet. I’m chuffed you like my little quote – that means a lot to me 😊
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