They were those post 2nd WW Estates
Blocks of flats now with sealed coal chutes by the front doors
we were on the third floor. the last flat to the right
A large quadrangle of grass laid at the back of our block
we would walk down with the dogs and watch them run and play
They seem to love each-other as much as they love us
happy times, happy days
sometimes we let them out on their own, its like letting them out
on the back garden
they knew their way home, for twenty minutes later you hear them
back at the door to be let in, wagging their tails, running to their
water bowl, then jumping on you like to say, we had fun

The Mrs opened the door and let out a quiet scream
I heard the door shut and she run into the sitting room
I was half-way up, the broadsheet I was reading falling off me
she had a look on her face, one I'd not seen before
outside I heard the Tara and Dorwan barking
" oh no, oh no " she said now tears were falling from her eyes
darling, whats wrong, what's the matter, I said, alarmed
now hold her
"oh no, oh how dreadful, how so ****** dreadful, someone
has smear **** all over the dogs, why, why, they are lovely friendly dogs"
I was aghast, then incensed, then aghast, then calm
Its OK darling, I got the Dog Shampoo and a large bucket of warm
water, its alright, please stop crying
I'll take them back downstairs and clean them out.

******* left outside our door, racist litter strewn on the landing
our car scratched, car wheels let down, banging at night
Stormy clouds had started looming
Bobby the Socialist youths Organiser and pals
were no longer hanging by the landing or stair well
but something heavy and dark hung in the air
War had began, but we did not know
We do not fight wars..........
The war had begun