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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.

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