Maybe The Poet

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