The Mercenary

The Mercenary

You may despise me with disgust for the arms I bear and the wars I wage,

For the payment that I earn for the killings and the rage.

I carry anger and hate of those who did me wrong,

I was beaten and abused and suffered until I was strong.

Then with hardened heart I told the world that vengeance I would take,

I left a river of pain and blood flowing in my wake.

I cannot sleep from the nightmares and the memories of it all,

The screams of death I cannot stop and the suffering that I caused I cannot stall.

To the cult of violence, to the gun from childhood I am born and truly bred.

There is nothing left for me to do but end the pain and kill myself instead.

Down the road of violence, I have boldly marched and walked,

Now I cry in sorrow and for forgiveness I have begged and sought,

What hope is there for one so bad as I ,

No peace or sleep, to end the greatest lie,

That from the childhood anger, hatred and abuse

Violence and revenge is no answer, for my evil deeds I have no excuse,

Rightly, I will end up swinging from a noose.

Yet death for me is sweet relief, for love I never knew,

To escape the empty childhood and the pain, what’s more is that its true.

Shay Cullen

 

COMMENT:

The pain expressed in that poem is powerful. The message stark. Love not hate is at the heart of the message. There are layers and layers of understanding re. cause and effect in a person’s life…what you and your team offer in Preda is an interruption to a downward spiral and the first step to a happy and fulfilled life. The world needs more Preda’s – not just as an intervention.. but as a root cause game changer. It is the breadth of Preda’s vision, supports and work that impresses me most – I can hear your voice in my head.. it is poverty that drives it all.

Take care Shay.

Annette
Annette Kinne
Director
Andec Communications