The Bravery Of My Father

I grew up in the troubles in Belfast and remembered how my Father continued to go to work . Making his way through the barricades and getting searched on every corner by the British Army who often made it difficult for him .

We lived in a Catholic enclave and there was always running battles between the security forces and the local lads who were not happy with the situation .

When certain people tolf my Father there was a rent strike , he continued to pay the rent .

He stood and did what he considered to be the right thing to do .

He was not liked by some and even insulted by those who considered themselves to be in charge .

My Father went to mass every Sunday and continued to go work every day harassed and humiliated by those who considered themselves to be the peace keepers of law and order .

I penned this poem as a tribute to my fathers bravery .

The Bravery Of My Father

It was 1969 when the army came to town with guns at the ready .

There was peace for a while

and then it all went crazy .

All our nerves were unsteady .

My old man was asked to do this and that. He said no .

He did what he thought was right .

He was a family man .

He had a good heart .

He didn't want to kill or fight .

They pushed my old mans feet from under him , he fell on the Street, as the rain fell down .

The soldiers laughed and made fun of him .

He got to his feet and said ,

" This is my town ."

They took my old man's lunch box and threw it to the ground .

He put back his sandwiches.

It was a cold wind that blew through Belfast city that day .

But the fault was not his .

The bigotry and hatred shook my old man .

But he held his head proudly and said .

"This is my town ."

The troubles are over now and my Father is a long time dead .

God ,look out for my old man .

He was brave

and didn't deserve to be put to shame .

I don't know the soldiers names

who mocked my old man ,

or even why they ever came .

The End

By Paul McCann