They saw my card and taunted me—
" An ’I won’t Work’ and ’Red’".
But what I answered got their goat
And filled them full of dread.
"Freedom, solidarity—
That’s what the card stands for.
The red is for the workers slain
In every capital war.
"I won’t work on atom bombs,
Won’t tear the forests down.
I will not dump your toxic waste,
Nor spread your poisons ’round.
"I will not ship your war machines
For use against the poor.
I’ll stand with other workers and
We’ll have no more of war.
"But I Will Work for workers’ rights,
I’ll work for liberty,
I’ll work for safety on the job,
I’ll set the workers free."
They took my card and tore it up.
They beat me ’til I bled.
They justified their brutal deed—
" You’re dangerous" they said.
They’ve bruised me. And they’ve knocked me down.
They’ve mocked me with a grin.
They’ve laughed, but I’ll be laughing last
’Cause one day I Will Win...
Jake S. Perth Wobbly