HAVE YOU SEEN MY MOTHER
Have you seen my mother?
Clogher man, Tony Martin, was in Fintona when he heard that a bomb had gone off in Omagh.
He recalls: "I knew my son had gone shopping in Omagh that day with friends, one of whom died that day on Market Street.
"I went to Omagh to find him and was sent to the hospital. There, a crowd had gathered. Most were searching for family and friends. Everyone was walking around in a sort of daze. Perhaps I was too. One little boy asked me if I had seen his sister.
"I did not know him, so I brought him to a taxi driver who did know him. Sadly, his young sister was killed in the blast. I know what many went through that day, for it was late in the evening when I found my son, who was only slightly injured.
"I remember one little girl running around the hospital asking everyone, have you seen my mother, and running off before anyone could answer? I don't know if she found her mother or not. I hope and prayed she did, but some time ago I wrote this poem entitled 'Have you seen my Mother?'"
Have you seen my mother, I heard that young girl say,
outside the Omagh Hospital on that bleak August day.
When hopes and dreams were shattered, and 29 cut down,
when a car bomb was exploded on the Market Street in town.
I was there outside the hospital along with many more,
When broken bleeding bodies were carried in the door.
Many were lamenting while others screamed in pain.
Some just slightly wounded, and many folk were maimed.
Have you seen my mother, again I heard her cry,
To a group of foreign strangers who happened to pass by.
They did not seem to notice but ambled slowly on,
Their steps were slow and faltering and faces pale and drawn.
On a desk within the hospital, a large open book now lay,
With the names of many shoppers who were missing on that day.
I went in through the doorway, and queued up with the rest,
And wrote down a name upon it with my number and address.
Have you seen my mother, she then took me by surprise,
I turned around and gazed into a pair of tear-filled eyes.
I did not know her mother, and so I shook my head,
Hoping and praying this child's mother was not dead.
I could hear the screech of tyres, the scream of sirens too,
Doctors nurses rushing there, some kindly deed to do.
From surgery, home and workplace, for many miles around,
There was good as well as evil, that day in Omagh town.
Have you seen my mother that voice rings in my head,
Since that bleak day in Omagh when the river turned to red.
When old and young both perished with the children still unborn,
And families left lamenting for the ones who won't return.
Nigh 10 years have passed over, still hearts are sad and sore,
Since no one is brought to justice, they cannot close that door.
There will be a court up yonder, when the lease of life has run,
I pray she found her mother and thank God I found my son.
Clogher man, Tony Martin, was in Fintona when he heard that a bomb had gone off in Omagh.
He recalls: "I knew my son had gone shopping in Omagh that day with friends, one of whom died that day on Market Street.
"I went to Omagh to find him and was sent to the hospital. There, a crowd had gathered. Most were searching for family and friends. Everyone was walking around in a sort of daze. Perhaps I was too. One little boy asked me if I had seen his sister.
"I did not know him, so I brought him to a taxi driver who did know him. Sadly, his young sister was killed in the blast. I know what many went through that day, for it was late in the evening when I found my son, who was only slightly injured.
"I remember one little girl running around the hospital asking everyone, have you seen my mother, and running off before anyone could answer? I don't know if she found her mother or not. I hope and prayed she did, but some time ago I wrote this poem entitled 'Have you seen my Mother?'"
Have you seen my mother, I heard that young girl say,
outside the Omagh Hospital on that bleak August day.
When hopes and dreams were shattered, and 29 cut down,
when a car bomb was exploded on the Market Street in town.
I was there outside the hospital along with many more,
When broken bleeding bodies were carried in the door.
Many were lamenting while others screamed in pain.
Some just slightly wounded, and many folk were maimed.
Have you seen my mother, again I heard her cry,
To a group of foreign strangers who happened to pass by.
They did not seem to notice but ambled slowly on,
Their steps were slow and faltering and faces pale and drawn.
On a desk within the hospital, a large open book now lay,
With the names of many shoppers who were missing on that day.
I went in through the doorway, and queued up with the rest,
And wrote down a name upon it with my number and address.
Have you seen my mother, she then took me by surprise,
I turned around and gazed into a pair of tear-filled eyes.
I did not know her mother, and so I shook my head,
Hoping and praying this child's mother was not dead.
I could hear the screech of tyres, the scream of sirens too,
Doctors nurses rushing there, some kindly deed to do.
From surgery, home and workplace, for many miles around,
There was good as well as evil, that day in Omagh town.
Have you seen my mother that voice rings in my head,
Since that bleak day in Omagh when the river turned to red.
When old and young both perished with the children still unborn,
And families left lamenting for the ones who won't return.
Nigh 10 years have passed over, still hearts are sad and sore,
Since no one is brought to justice, they cannot close that door.
There will be a court up yonder, when the lease of life has run,
I pray she found her mother and thank God I found my son.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC10An/34
Published Date: 14-Aug-08
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