Aughagower - for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

In this ancient place we are gathered

confronted by archaeology,

where Vikings plundered

before the long British hegemony.

We know that history is written by the victors

with the virtuous blood of the innocent,

and what takes minutes to destroy in wars

takes generations to repair with atonement.

Life is a spark of hope flung into the darkness,

but those who quench that energy

have never walked in the shoes of the stateless

or been moved by the grace of empathy.

As democracies are subjected to coercion

we look to Canada as we’ve done before,

and with pride, to our cherished native son

to convene a coalition of the anti-war,

To protect the hard lessons gleaned from the rubble,

to reset the world as it slowly forgives,

to defend civilised values despite the struggle,

so we can all resume living our sacred ordinary lives.