Long, sleepless hours open this Friday.

Not just Good, but maybe the best.

No word passes

as they cross in the corridor,

yet their deal could end

the bitter bequest of the years.

'No surrender' is screamed

by the bloody Red Hand,

rattling the gate of the castle.

'Death to the Brits'

mutters the hideous black hood,

killing in a dark back street.

The Maze of problems

is delicately travelled.

Shall the Union tremble?

Will Adam's sons inherit?

No gerrymandered fix

can last the course.

The Paisley patterned sects

stay loyal to their creed,

and the Gael runs emerald green

in seams still strong.

But the quilt of Eirann's past

is woven to a future shape.

The widows and the orphans left,

in shades of black and tan,

mourn again and share the grief

of later victims kin.

Shots across the grave confirm

the bonds that tied them in.

From the secret voice that said

'the war is done',

to the Senator presiding on a deal.

From Easter rising

to Easter settling.

Thirty two may never again

be divided by six.

The Good Friday agreement 1998.