In the prisons, the monsters...

Gold cherry

By london_calling79

Wed, 08 Jul 2015
  • 7758 reads
29 comments
 

In the prisons, the monsters

and within the monsters…craftsmen.

 

A secret collaboration,

a collusion of trigger-fingers curled round saws.

A symphony in silence.

Hymns to the dead.

 

In whine of carved wood-meat and bone

you handcraft cots

whilst disappeared rot

unmarked and bare.

 

Across the H block

with Ulster heart fingers

the other side solder

Taig names;

tattoo the molten skin,

indelible.

 

Outside we the dumb

nod gravely,

safe, deluded in your punishment.

 

Inside

you admire the enemy’s work.

Nod professional respect

for the hands that pulled triggers,

that set timers

that set us back.

 

Your handiwork squats

in many silent corners.

Carved memories.

Hymns to the dead.

 

I recently learned that whilst in prison, many Northern Irish terrorist groups paid the opposing side to make them gifts to give their family or friends due to the quality of their workmanship. I can only imagine the reaction of the families of those who lost their lives to these men.

Certificate PG
Poem
New Set
Rant
Other Non-fiction
Biography
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by thornwood on

I like this poem. I suppose part of what is saying that even these people society views as terrorists are also human beings. A very emotive poem for some im sure though dont know if I quite like the use of word like monsters as seem like media sensationilism but nevertheless im sure a constructive part of the poem. Though to be honest made me a bit emotive which must be the sign of a good poem.

Stephen d

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thanks for the comment and your knowledge thornwood. Monsters is very emotive but I feel justified as there are hidden depths to these men, they just chose to show it at the wrong time. Too late for a lot of people.

 

Submitted by Blackbirdphoenix on

I like this poem. You seem like a very creative writer with the way you give readers the chance to see past the monstrous outward view of these men. Good job.

BBPnix

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thanks for the praise BBP - excellent name!

 

Submitted by Blackbirdphoenix on

Thanks and you're welcome.

BBPnix

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

beautifully constructed. Did they really make cots? really?

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Strange and dark irony and the complexity of human behaviour, the oddness of choosing to kill and maim seems to run deep but so hard to understand, especially as you show killers are not simply that.

Submitted by london_calling79 on

My dad met some of these guys once and said that he believed they would be murderers no matter where they were born - they just hung the badge of freedom fighting or defending the faith onto their barbarism. Such a shame they chose to use their talents on other humans rather than blocks of wood and steel to make something worthwhile.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

ah - have just read the teaser so had my question answered

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Cots, steel work like gates and archways. Originally I used the image of them making rocking chairs as that one struck me as incongruous. I think the cots image was a little more obvious though.

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Gracias para los cerezuelos!

Cheers for the cherries!

 

Submitted by socialeaf on

This is excellent thought provoking writing. I enjoy how you've woven the men into their new work with splashes of their pasts.

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thanks you! Loving your output at the minute.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

As an add on to my previous comment... unless you come to this poem from the main page of ABC you don't see the teaser. Usually this doesn't make any odds since it's just the first few lines, however your teaser is quite pertinent to the piece. I wonder if it mightn't be a good idea to put it in the main body of the work somehow? At the top or bottom perhaps? What do you think?

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Nah - I like to be all mysterious. Might go back and take all the adjectives out too. :)

Seriously though that's a good idea. Will go back and do it.

 

Submitted by Kurt Rellians on

Interesting topic, about which we hear a lot less now that a much more sensible form of peace has been finally concluded between the two communities (after many years of incredible and difficult to understand , or condone, brutality.). The violence of course was committed by both sides although it was surely the IRA who were most crucial to finally accepting peace. I am sure there were many excesses on both sides, so it seems difficult to suggest that only one side were monsters. Great poem though. Perhaps the respect for workmanship showed that the communities could live and work together again in peace!

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thanks for the read and the comment Kurt. Unfortunately things are still bubbling away. Recently one side has been using the Nazi symbol as a flag - there really is no hope for some. Personally, I feel they are all monsters. No side has the right to take life. I liked the word monster as originally it meant 'marvel' which quite nicely catches the juxtaposition in these men.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Facebook and Twitter Pick of the Day!

Get a great reading recommendation every day

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thank you so much for the pick. This one is quite close to my heart.

 

Submitted by love_writing on

Fantastic, strong writing. Enlightening content- I for one did not know that went on. Loved it. 

love_writing

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Not sure many people do lw. Some of the prison warders refuse to write memoirs. Thank you for your lovely comment!

 

Submitted by celticman on

good craftsmanship knows no boundaries. 

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

They could make beautiful things.

 

Submitted by thornwood on

With grace and hope may peace continue.

(((I)))

Stephen d

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Agreed.

 

Submitted by scratch on

A tremendous poem.  You're mining a rich vein at the moment.  Keep going.

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thank you scratch. Your support and praise is always treasured. It's all going to go tits up now!

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

I did read this when you first put it up, and wasn't surprised to read of these activities in prison and the abilities being better used and appreciated, but I couldn't think of any comment! Reading again, I was struck by one of your comments about the reasons given for fighting and killing often being an excuse for a general anger and brutality. And also, maybe linked is someone's comment that it shows how  these fighters could have a community of respect and beautiful labour if they could see their way. You have certainly provoked thought! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Thanks for coming back to it Rhiannon. I can never quite get my head around the three dimensional criminal - capable of wonder and atrocity. It's silly season again in Northern Ireland this weekend where wonders of architectural construction are burnt to the ground.