Wobbly times number 153

REFUSE THE ROLE

by Mike Ballard

What if you were given

power over others

Would you get your kicks

at their expense

or would you

refuse the role

refuse the role

You have the will

and there’s a way

Refuse the role

refuse the role

What if you were treated

to abuse and active scorn

Would you get your satisfaction

blowing master’s horn

loyal to humiliation

like a Pavlov’s dog

or would you

refuse the role

refuse the role

The roles we are

assigned to play

just keep us

in our

slave-like ways

refuse the roles

refuse the roles

Live free

Live wild

Associate as equal mates

in one big union free

and don’t let the bosses

put you down

refuse to roll

refuse their roles 

********************************

originally published in 

FANNING DISCONTENT'S FLAMES

Australian Wobbly Poetry, Scurrilous Doggerel, and Song

1914-2007