EVERYMAN
If every man
Each and every man
Did what little
One little man can
And refused to fight
Refused to fight
For surely that is every man's right?
If every one
Every mother's son
Laid down their arms
Then the war is done
Then the war is won
And the victors would be
Everyone.
But if only the men
Over here, on our side
Laid down their guns
And forgot their pride -
But that would be national suicide
And then the Hun
Would have won....
But - should I be dying
Amid the screaming and crying
Should I be joining
The gory glory
Of the war of wars?
Perhaps if I went
To where I was sent
And agreed my best friend was my rifle
And when told to shoot
I could aim high
At the senseless sky
Or - should I stand firm
And when it's my turn
To be called to the glorious colours
Say I'd rather not fight
Because I don't think it's right
And leave fighting the war to others ?
© nigel hallworth 2014