What Happened To ‘Proud To Be British’?

I’ve watched the news a million times…

Fire. Shouting. Riots. Fear.

I’ve heard it all before.

Fire. Shouting. Riots. Fear.

Unknown faces, unknown towns.

Fire. Shouting. Riots. Fear.

Not this time.

*

I know those buildings, know those towns.

Fires raging, lives destroyed.

Closer to home than ever before.

Fires raging, lives destroyed.

What for? Why? What’s the point?

Fires raging, lives destroyed.

It’s too late now, it’s done.

Fires raging, lives destroyed.

*

I’m so glad I live where I do.

I’m so ashamed of what this weekend has become.

Of what ‘Great’ Britain’s finest cities have become.

I am angry.

I am frightened.

And I’m not even there.

(Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA)