Chuckle brother signs off with a poem for his pal
Friday June 06 2008
Ian Paisley's retirement from government in Northern Ireland has been marked by a poignant gift from his former arch enemy, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness.
The pair forged a surprisingly positive relationship as First and Deputy First Minister, which saw them dubbed the Chuckle Brothers.
And as Mr Paisley left office today, Mr McGuinness presented him with a special copy of a poem closely associated with the peace process, Seamus Heaney's 'The Cure At Troy'.
The extract was hand-written by the Nobel Laureate for the occasion.
The framed text also carried a personal message from Mr McGuinness, wishing the Paisley family well and recording their friendship.
Alongside the Heaney verse, the Sinn Fein MP also presented Mr Paisley with a poem penned by himself, drawing a parallel between the plight of Native Americans and Irish salmon.
The extract of the poem reads: "Human beings suffer, they torture one another, they get hurt and get hard.
"No poem or play or song can fully right a wrong inflicted or endured.''
It adds: "History says, Don't hope on this side of the grave.
"But then, once in a lifetime the longed for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme...''
