Poetry Friday
47
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Reflecting on a
week of atrocity and a fortress city. As Cardiff barricades itself in to
prepare for the Champions’ League Final in the wake of the Manchester bomb, I
wonder how long before we see Marshall Law by default on the streets of
Britain.
Urban Cleansing
Guns,
camouflage,
barriers,
stop and
search,
restrictions in
the name of freedom.
“We’re
protecting you
with police and soldiers - visible deterrents.”
But in the
shadows
they lurk,
not in uniforms
or hi-vis
vests.
no ID cards,
not terrorists
or criminals but
the ones authorised
to cleanse the
city
of undesirables.
They said
They said
it’s only for
the football,
to ensure
Cardiff’s biggest event
would progress
peacefully.
We understood.
They said
in the wake of
recent events
we’ll keep the
security measures
a little while
longer.
We understood.
They said
don’t you feel
safe
with soldiers
on the streets
and police
checking your movements?
We didn't understand,
But we no longer had
a choice.
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