IN THIS LAMPLIGHT

IN THIS LAMPLIGHT

In this lamplight, dim but strong, I have plotted revolutions,
Settled scores and righted wrongs, my own brand of retribution.
In this lamplight of Egyptian soil or elsewhere on this sacred earth,
I have planned the death of tyrants and charted my rebirth.

In the lamplight underneath these eaves,
I have staked what I believe,
And fought and died for the sake of truth,
Gave up my beauty and my youth.
All not to die by a tyrant’s hand,
A bloody coup in a bloody land.

In the lamplight I have stolen lots of money from the poor,
Held in my Swiss bank accounts where I thought it was secure.
But ruthless men die a ruthless death, choking on their final breath,
And force does not trump liberty, when people get a taste of free.

In the lamplight I have dipped my pen in ink,
To pen a declaration,
Of independence that in a blink
Will descend upon my nation.
In this lamplight I have tempted both fellow man and Fate,
To hitch their wagon to my star in staunch pursuit of fear and hate.
Discrimination that has marked my homeland,
Be it a coastal town or a desert sand.
In the lamplight all for one, together we must stand.

In this lamplight secrets live and whisper their deceit
And in this lamplight echo forth the trampling of forgotten feet,
Whose footsteps leave a rogue’s spilt blood swirling in the mire and mud.
All for freedom and for freedom’s song,
I sing my message clear and strong.

In this lamplight, I have put my imprint,
On a new and vibrant government.
In the lamplight of a campfire strong,
I avenge my enemies, right my wrongs.
In the lamplight of this sacred land on this sacred piece of earth,
I have planned the death of tyrants and charted my rebirth.

-Bruce Potts
Copyright 2011
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

NOTE: For the people of Egypt and Libya, who inspired this poem.