BELFAST – BEIRUT

Explosion.

From being whole and alive

in an instant’s whim

they become shattered, decimated scraps

of what they once had been.

Dead. Maimed. Footless, legless, eyeless.

Shovels, plastic bags.

A sorry harvest.

Instant comment

Hard news.

Instant viewing in colour

with action replay.

Committed to computer

to be resurrected at will.

Yesterday’s people.