maybe the poet is gay

but he'll be heard anyway



maybe the poet is drugged

but he won't stay under the rug



maybe the voice of the spirit

in which case you'd better hear it



maybe he's a woman

who can touch you where you're human



male female slave or free

peaceful or disorderly

maybe you and he will not agree

but you need him to show you new ways to see



don't let the system fool you

all it wants to do is rule you

pay attention to the poet

you need him and you know it



put him up against the wall

shoot him up with pentothal



shoot him up with lead

you won't call back what's been said

put him in the ground

but one day you'll look around



there'll be a face you don't know

voicing thoughts you've heard before



male female slave or free

peaceful or disorderly

maybe you and he will not agree

but you need him to show you new ways to see



don't let the system fool you

all it wants to do is rule you

pay attention to the poet

you need him and you know it



(TORONTO JANUARY 1982