I wanna live in a country, Fergal Barr

I wanna live in a country where the flag I stand under is embraced by all
I wanna live in a country where the policies that govern us are dictated not by religious doctrine or political ideology but determined by logic and reason
I wanna live in a country whereby when I go to vote it’s not to ensure the other is kept out
I wanna live in a country where residents show a spirit of generosity and where bands break bread with residents

I wanna live in a country where politicians do not use political safeguards designed for all as merely a safeguard for themselves
I wanna live in a country where my efforts to uphold the rights of others is not made to look wasted by the actions of those who shout loudly and stamp hardest
I wanna live in a country that doesn’t always have to go to the edge so as to remind itself how far the drop is

I wanna live in a country that prides itself on its identity and heritage but not so much that there is no longer anything to be proud of
I wanna live in a country that is not defined by the colours of flags but by the colours of the rainbow
I wanna live in a country that moves beyond deals, pacts and party line to one that is moved by accommodation, kindness and compassion
I wanna live in a country that where you choose to walk is generated by curiosity and adventure rather than by fear and insecurity

I wanna live in a country where my decisions are reached rather than policed
I wanna live in a country where vision is a journey in the same direction and not a crossroads blinded by indecision
I wanna live in a country where I don’t have to get into bed with one side or the other just to have a bed to get into
I wanna live in a country where opportunity for all is not merely an opportunity free for all

I wanna live in a country where language is embraced as enriching rather the butt of jokes or a tool to alienate
I wanna live in a country where my opinions do not equate to an unwelcome invitation late at night
I wanna live in a country where the smell of fresh air does not succumb to the scent of smoke and brimstone I wanna live in a country that does not blur lines or fudges decisions in order to protect the intolerant and the violent

I wanna live in a country where the message we leave behind is not a legacy of confusion and ambiguity
I wanna live in a country where we do not look east or south for inspiration but we look to ourselves
I wanna live in a country that does not make excuses for one side or the other but values responsibilities and rights in equal measure
I wanna live in a country that creates a new hope and not a hope to cling to

I wanna live in a country where the love we share and whom we choose to share it with is not an excuse to label me alongside those whose depravity knows no bounds
I wanna live in a country where we don’t merely explain away our past yet condemn unreservedly those who follow in our footsteps
I wanna live in a country where we don’t spin, whitewash or re-write what happened but write our joint narrative together
I wanna live in a country where our acceptance of sectarianism, racism, homophobia and gender inequality becomes socially unacceptable