If (Poetry)

If you will seek the truth
when all about are spreading foolish lies
if you still feel the sun
despite the black and overbearing skies
if you can see some good
when others seem convinced the world’s gone bad
then you’ll discover how
to live your life — be happy and feel glad.

If you can help someone
to understand the rules and play the game —
that it’s democracy
that serves us all and treats us all the same
if you can take a loss
and just accept there’s times you will not win
if you can finish well
those gruelling tasks you’d rather not begin ...

If you have true respect
for those opinions different from your own
if you’re not blind and deaf
to reason when outnumbered or alone
if you can keep your calm
when life is rough yet find some sense in it
if you’re all that — and more
then, hand on heart, you are a pukka Brit.