Finuala Dowling

"Two million dead
who had some tic or genius
who loved songbirds or waterfalls
who made themselves small for a child
who owned a blanket or sunhat
whose tummy growled at noon
who drank from a favourite cup
who closed their eyes when kissed
who added small sums in their heads
who lay awake thinking
who fell asleep reading
who wanted to say
I’m sorry 
goodbye 
I love you ..."