The Dissident

Itmakes you wonder sometimes

Whothese lame complainers are.

Whydon’t they simply get on board and

Marchlockstep with the crowd?

 

Whodo they really think they’re fooling

Withtheir roars and rallies and cries?

Whydo they seem so angry and

Whyare they so damned loud?

 

Theyare the voice of conscience.

Theyare our soul’s sounding board.

They’renearby to give us balance

Whenwe’re falling on our sword.

 

Ayoung and struggling nation

Wasquick to recognize

Thatthe scorching voice of dissidence

Wasthe footpath to their prize.

 

Thevoices of Adams and Franklin and Paine

Likea bell in sweet liberty’s day,

Speakingof sovereignty, aching for freedom,

Seeking,demanding! and willing to pay.

 

Ifnot for these dissidents making their waves

Ournation would never be free.

Andso, it’s essential to protect our right

Tospeak volumes when we disagree.