I Do Not Want To Live

I do not want to live
In a world where
People are hungry and homeless
While mansions lay empty.

I do not want to live
In a world where
People are repressed under cloth
Of religious banner

I do not want to live
In a world where
People are killed and maimed
For honour and belief

I do not want to live
In a world where
People are thrown from roofs
Because of who they love

I do not want to live
In a world where
People spit ridicule and bile
To control another’s life

I do not want to live
In a world where
People have to choose
To risk death or run

I do not want to live
In a world where
People label their neighbour
Rather than ask their name

I do not want to live
In a world where
People are educated to
Become pawns in the game

I do not want to live
In a world where
Brother corrodes brother
In odious bitter cycle

I do not want to live
In a world where
Desire to be one of the masses
Stops us being individuals

I want to live
In a world where
People are free
To be people.

Paul Crompton is an itinerant soul moving from Norfolk to Brighton via the U.K.'s West Country. By day he writes for a business magazine and by night attends Brighton's many spoken word events. Read other articles by Paul.