Not For Me

 

                         I will not throw myself upon the pyre,

                         Nor man the barricades.

                         I refuse to waste myself,

                         Let others be the martyrs.

                         I will go the comfortable way,

                         Wear the proper shirt for the proper occasion,

                         Mouth the correct sentiments

                         And never never muddy the waters.

 

                         I will hug my righteousness to myself,

                         I will be the oracle from the mountain.

                         Let the rest of them sit at my feet,

                         And like the vicar of God

                         Of a successful church,

                         I will hob nob with the high and mighty,

                         Look devious and learn to smile with charm,

                         Ignore the occasional twinge and dose the pain.

                         In time, you can learn to fool everybody,

                         Even God, who has no time,

                         And Satan, who is too involved with other things.

 

 

 

                                                           Jack Mashman