This was written after I read a newspaper article years ago, proclaiming the death of two very young children of Ireland. One a Catholic lass and her love, a Protestant boy. They were given immortal love by others who gunned them down one night in the bed where their love lives on. This is a poem calling out for their dignity still...for these two hearts and for all the others who love in shadows.

.....Also for Ireland and for love!

Susan

Shadow dancing figures,
Dark grays upon the walls
Enveloped and intermingled
Flowing down the halls
Celtic embrace of lovers
Mutually... involved
Ghosts with sepulchers forever caught
No mystery here to solve
Theory died with their love
These two now dance above
For wars are cold for lovers
Whose hearts are put on hold
She the lassie of Belfast
He of Protestant born
Her Catholic life outspoken
Because of someone's son
They ran in shadows and darting lights
They hid their hearts each day
Their every thought to sneak aboard
A ship and sail away
Their love was born in honesty
Without the hint of hate
Emotion twisted into briars...
Worn like open fate
They went against the grain to love
Their purity was just
They went to sleep one fateful night
Their tears then turned to rust
The footsteps of a stealthful pair Came steely up the stairs
Then bullets tore their hearts apart
Yet bonded them in tears
They justified their love just then
By being souls above
The hatred of their fathers' land
Blessed with their fated love
They dance eternally for fate
Gave them a second chance
To openly engage all hearts
To win...perchance to dance
They whirl in halls with fluted sounds
That echo off the stone
They love forever without shame
Their hearts secure at home
They weave their silent message
As Shadows fall on the walls
"Welcome to all lovers"
Who hear this fated call
Love is born pure at birth
It's given for a purpose
It can't be politically justified
For hearts should not be cursed
If you love and it is pure
Then nothing matters when
Religion, wars ,caste systems...
Are judged by bittered kin
Love is one thing God gave us
To weave our hearts together
It waltzes now in silent halls
Their fated souls still tethered
The Celtic knot speaks for souls
Whenever love entwines
No beginning or an ending
Just infinite over time
So heed the call for love of hearts Take down this awful ban
Give back true love to rusted tears
In Eire this true love stands!
No more dodging shadows ...
Hiding in the dark
For Catholic forms with Protestants
For true love in common hearts.

© 2000 Susan K. Rowse

Susan welcomes your comments!