Defending The Words (Poetry)

For Salman Rushdie

They’ve a right to stand
those declarations
individual
or ranked together
as a written law

that respects the voice
regards as equal
each man’s opinion
however that view
might find expression

All those that oppose
essential freedoms
the need to record
all the thoughts and dreams
of generations

those who would censor
dumb down and destroy
each radical song
erase the shrill cry
from history’s page

they are the canker
sly worms in the wood
where Art speaks volumes
they threaten to burn
what braver men write