This is my latest book of anecdotes and short stories. This poem isn’t in it but the sentiments are there.
When Britain is no more
The British have always been a creative race. We like dance, song and music. We know how to have fun. We are problem solvers and wonderers.
We’ve sailed the ocean and discovered the world. We’ve searched our hearts and discovered poems and songs.
We set up trade across the world and tried our hand at many things. Our genes were enriched with those of others from diverse parts.
I set my Britishness upon the ideals of William Wilberforce, Wat Tyler, Mary Wollstonecraft, Emmeline Pankhurst, William Lovett, Henry Hetherington, the Swing rioters, Tolpuddle martyrs and all those who fought for liberty, social justice and better conditions. They stood for fairness, respect and equality. That’s Britishness for me.
The British speak up for justice in the face of brutal government.
The trade union movement grew out of that long struggle. It created a fairer society.
What we need now is another wave of social justice that sweeps aside the inequality. The rich are still getting richer at the expense of working people.
When Britain is no more I hope that those values of fairness, tolerance, compassion, democracy, equality and justice will still be a beacon for the world.
I hope that the values will be enshrined in song, music, poetry and drama. I hope that people will speak out with the same fury at injustice, racism, tyranny and misogyny.
You defeat fascism with song and dance, ideas and a smile.
When Britain is no more
What is it that we will leave behind
When Britain sinks below the waves
And the sun finally sets?
Democracy and freedom?
Fighting for the underdog?
Creating dreams with few regrets?
We are masters of the understatement.
We have the humour and the wit,
The empathy and daring
The bravery and grit.
All part of a culture to be proud of.
The best of what we are.
So put the bad stuff in the past.
The best will take us far.
When Britain sinks beneath the sea
We’ll know it will not have gone –
As long as people stand for their fellow man
And can still put those words to song.
Opher 11.12.2015