Blow me up

Blast me against the wall

Burst me with bombs and guns into a thousand pieces

Shoot me down dead

With bullets to the head

And while my blood runs into the sand

Just think for a moment

That you could have shook my hand

Said hello

Fired words at me

Instead of bombs.

You could have screamed at me if you wanted,

Shouted, screeched and yelled.

You could have blasted me with a thousand insults;

argued, blarneyed and cajoled,

Brought debate and contention to a head.

Instead,

We all know now that blood runs red

When innocent people lie dead.