I am new to this country

The sun brought the children out to play. I watched them and enjoyed their exuberance. Their parents are Irish, Eastern European, Nigerian and Asian. As I watched they became louder and louder. My attention was drawn to an older boy who was carrying a toy machine gun. As the game evolved he became the leader and began instructing the other children. There was an earnestness about him. He was wrapped in the game and clearly not aware of passing cars or listening adults. 'You are dead' he said to one of the smaller boys. 'That's not how to be dead' he said and he rearranged the limbs of the small boy. He gave the other children instructions about where they should stand or lie. I am in no doubt that he was recreating a war scene that he had witnessed. The children had to be under a tree, on a particular side of the tree, in certain positions. The children became silent. The only voice was that of the older boy as he gave his instructions and the other children obeyed. By now I too had been drawn into the game. I did not know which was worse, the cold voice of the older boy or the silent obedience of the younger ones. My heart was leaden and I was full of dread.  The game had taken the children very close to the cars. I snapped out of the daze I was in and realised that they weren't physically safe. I called out to the boy who was the leader and said 'you are not safe here' and pointed to a safer area. The boy turned. He looked afraid and said 'I am new to this country and don't know the rules yet.' 

​Copyright MBrennanKerry 2018
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