The Dissident

It makes you wonder sometimes

Who these lame complainers are.

Why don’t they simply get on board and

March lockstep with the crowd?

 

Who do they really think they’re fooling

With their roars and rallies and cries?

Why do they seem so angry and

Why are they so damned loud?

 

They are the voice of conscience.

They are our soul’s sounding board.

They’re nearby to give us balance

When we’re falling on our sword.

 

A young and struggling nation

Was quick to recognize

That the scorching voice of dissidence

Was the footpath to their prize.

 

The voices of Adams and Franklin and Paine

Like a bell in sweet liberty’s day,

Speaking of sovereignty, aching for freedom,

Seeking, demanding! and willing to pay.

 

If not for these dissidents making their waves

Our nation would never be free.

And so, it’s essential to protect our right

To speak volumes when we disagree.