The Troubles

by Lisa Kelly

The troubles tastes like destruction of old and
new buildings all around me.
The troubles looks like hopeless and lifeless
bodies on the streets and in the countryside.
The troubles smells like smoke emerging from
arson fires and bombings.
The troubles feels like countrywide tension
and constantly looking over your shoulder in fear.
The troubles sounds like bombs shattering people’s
lives into a million pieces.
The troubles are most at home in Northern Ireland
among Catholics and Protestants.

Written as part of Poetry as Commemoration workshops for Transition Years led by Terry McDonagh and Mary Melvin Geoghegan in Castlerea Community School, Roscommon, in  October 2023.