Sister (for Sinéad)

​Sister, the world is 
burning down outside tonight
A heartbeat left scorned
a flame soaking the fight
and i can’t believe the news 
that tolls loud and bright
and also moans softly in 
bluesy soft light
Sister,
theres a heartbeat humming
for the refugee tonight
for the children forged hard in 
anger and spite
for the mothers of lost souls
who strayed from their sights
And your voice 
had ensured there’s still
someone in the fight
and you, were
sullenly 
scornfully
cast aside
and villified 
when you tried 
to cast evil
from shadow 
with light
and then vindicated
when time showed
of course
you were 
right
your empathy anchored 
against hurricanes
your smile a dam cradling 
a river of pain
i was singing your song
the night we learned you had passed
and with the news
it felt far lonelier than the last
and the world held it’s breath 
for a moment it seemed
as the masses stood in reverence in celebration
and  
shame
for you revelled the lashings
that the masses were due
like a biblical cross
or fates card that you drew
indignant and poised 
singing back into their faces
holding firmly to truth
set ablaze in great graces
don’t let the bastards get you down
sister
you bravely stood strong 
against each new tide
nearly unbreakable
but
like a ruperts drop 
struck just right, 
you
desperately
shattered 
from
inside
your
mind
But left a 
white marble statue
      of virtue
           behind