In May 1972, the Official IRA, which had been active in the early years of the Troubles, called a ceasefire and declared that it would pursue political rather than military means to achieve its goals. The ceasefire was a significant moment in the history of the conflict, as the Official IRA's Marxist-inclined leadership sought to move away from armed struggle. The ceasefire, however, was not accepted by the Provisional IRA, which continued its campaign.

The Official IRA ceasefire is a subject of political poetry, with writers exploring the implications of the shift from violence to politics. The ceasefire is often contrasted with the continued violence of the Provisional IRA, creating a sense of division within republicanism. The poetry of the period reflects the complexities of the conflict, a theme that would persist in the literature of the Troubles.