The Prisoner

`Prisoner, tell me, who was it that bound you?'

`It was my master,' said the prisoner. `I thought I could outdo

everybody in the world in wealth and power, and I amassed in

my own treasure-house the money due to my king. When sleep

overcame me I lay upon the bed that was for my lord, and on

waking up I found I was a prisoner in my own treasure-house.'

`Prisoner, tell me, who was it that wrought this unbreakable

chain?'

Talking of Power and Love

Between all my torments between death and self

Between my despair and the reason for living

There is injustice and this evil of men

That I cannot accept there is my anger

There are the blood-coloured fighters of Spain

There are the sky-coloured fighters of Greece

The bread the blood the sky and the right to hope

For all the innocents who hate evil

I Am There

I come from there and remember,

I was born like everyone is born, I have a mother

and a house with many windows,

I have brothers, friends and a prison.

I have a wave that sea-gulls snatched away.

I have a view of my own and an extra blade of grass.

I have a moon past the peak of words.

I have the godsent food of birds and an olive tree beyond the ken of time.

Ethics for Everyman

Throwing a bomb is bad,
Dropping a bomb is good;
Terror, no need to add,
Depends on who's wearing the hood.

Kangaroo courts are wrong.
Specialist courts are right;

Discipline by the strong
Is fair if your collar is white.

Purity

Life of my life, I shall ever try to keep my body pure, knowing

that thy living touch is upon all my limbs.

I shall ever try to keep all untruths out from my thoughts,

knowing that thou art that truth which has kindled the light of

reason in my mind.

My song

This song of mine will wind its music around you,

my child, like the fond arms of love.

The song of mine will touch your forehead

like a kiss of blessing.

When you are alone it will sit by your side and

whisper in your ear, when you are in the crowd

it will fence you about with aloofness.

The Dream

I have a dream

To fill the golden sheath

          of a remembered day. 
     

Air      

Heavy and massed and blue

          as the vapor of opium …           

Domes

Fired in sulphurous mist …       

Be brave

Arouse, ye men of brain and brawn,

    Unnumbered hosts that toil;

Assert your manhood, break your chains:

    Reclaim your own fair soil!

Too long beneath oppression's lash

    Ye've slaved for robber knaves;

And gave your all to Church and State,

    Contented to be slaves.

The day had come, your night is done,

    If you but act as men.

Be bold, be brave - the world is yours,

    March on and take it, then!

    But no, you hesitate - and why?

    Oh slaves! Why fear to die?

On! Do and dare! Be brave! Be free!