by Matthew Geden

A cartoon picture arrives in my head of two large stone circles painted white,
messages came to a world in monochrome.
A few supporters who were too old to serve in the military side –
some of these whose names I can recollect.
Unusual activity in Bantry, Comhola, Kealkil, Glengarriff, Durrus, Caheragh, Kilcrohane and Droumsullivan.
Pillowcases and sheets, and under blanket, a telephone.
“Blast you! You have taken the wrong bag.”

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