Belfast Ward Lights

Verse 1
City’s still breathin’ through the bandages
black taxis idlin’ at the lights
I walk the Falls at shift-end, love
white shoes turned grey with the day
disinfectant and turf smoke
same perfume every night
Verse 2
Ward was full of ghosts again
old men calling out for their mahz
I hold their hands and tell them soft lies
the kind that let them sleep
I learned the smell of death before I learned peace
peace never clocked in
Verse 3
Kids on the corner selling nothing
same age I was in ’94
I give them the look my ma gave me
they drop their eyes, they know
the walls still keep the score
and the interest never stops
Verse 4
Mammy’s rosary lies cold in the drawer
beads worn smooth from other people’s fear
I light a candle in the kitchen
for the ones who won’t see morning
I stopped believing years ago
but the match still strikes
Verse 5
Lagan slides black under the bridges
carrying whatever we give it
I stand on the Albert at dawn
watching the water do its job
some debts only flow one way
and that’s the only mercy left
Verse 6
So I’ll keep showing up
till the soles wear through
till the ghosts stop asking
till the city forgets my name
but not tonight
not while the monitors still beep
not while there’s breath to steady
mah gu’lyor, love
mah gu’lyor