Where the People Stand

Where the people stand,

I will take a bow,

Take an arrow, a bullet, a punch; words, even, I don't know.

But I won't take a no.

A no, regardless of all the atrocities

Committed by those so-called "masters".

A no as in "I close my eyes and avoid seeing

The pain and sorrow of my beloved brothers,

Mothers and sisters and uncles and cousins,

The guy I grew up laughing with,

Who's being persecuted for being gay,

That I still love but am too afraid to say

So."

I won't stand with you, people who lie

I won't cheer with you, people who kill

I will not stand by you, people who deny

That a human life isn't worth more than your thrill.

Where the real people stand, I will get down low

On my knees,

And I will shout loud and clear,

That I'd have a bullet pierce my heart

Rather than fall in lines

With those who let kiddos drown

And innocent people die.