Then the semantic battles began

Highly-explosive verbs and nouns

Were fired without warning by all sides

Sending newspaper editors

Diving to the floor.

The spin-doctors favoured

Pincher-movements

To ambush the views of opponents;

Meanwhile citizens hold their breath

As they enjoy every minute, every piece

Of the imperfect peace.

How long is a piece of string?

As long as the journey to a new beginning?

A yellow-brick road

Where peace is King.