Ceasefire
1
Put in mind of His own father and Moved To Tears
Achilles took him by the hand and pushed the old king
Gently away, but Priam curled up at his feet and
Wept with him until their sadness filled the building.
2
Taking Hector's corpse into his own hands Achilles
Made sure it was washed and, for the old king's sake,
Laid out in uniform, ready for Priam to carry
Wrapped like a present home to Troy at daybreak.
3
When they had eaten together, it pleased them both
To stare at each other's beauty as lovers might,
Achilles built like a god, Priam good-looking still
And full of conversation, who HAD Earlier sighed:
4
'I get down on my knees and do what must be done
And kiss Achilles 'hand, the killer of my son'.
( Michael Longley )
Michael Longley wrote this poem in 1994 in the aftermath of a major ceasefire in the civil war in North Ireland. An act of hope and suffering valid for any war in itself horrible and unfair.
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