PYROTECHNICS

By Philip Quirke

Festival fun-time with fireworks.

Awe, even shock among squealing children,

thrilled with the flares, who sense danger

in blasts and explosions, but held safe in parents’ arms.

They will remember this night like no other.

Colours flash through the dark and tumble into the river;

smoke drifts across the harbour, fire all spent.

Later, the news channels broadcast another assault:

retribution on Gaza – used to be tenfold

but now sixtyfold retaliation   Deadly fire works:

blasts, explosions, shrapnel, flares,

awesome, and shocking, designed to warn.

There will be collateral damage.

Children cower under blankets.

They will remember these nights. Like no other.