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An Accident
Little
girl. Little girl.
Little dark eyed dark haired girl
lies
shot.
Dark red blood in wavy hair.
Skull broken.
I'm a
Brit, the day's daring
soldier, south in Palestine,
but at
night alone, sad,
just a boy, mama's little lad.
My sin is
great. Oh my sister.
I swear, it was an accident.
Like a dagger
it cut the heart,
my heart, oh, my sister,
forgive me, forgive
me, so sad,
my child, my child.
I meant to shoot your
dad.
-- "Accidental Shooting in Palestine" by
Kristjan fra Djupalaek.
From In the Vineyard, a collection of poems,
1966.