To be human
\nis to be
\nnaked
\nbefore and after
\nthe law<\/p>\n
To be protected
\nif ever
\nif at all
\nonly by
\nthe decency
\nof others<\/p>\n
And when unprotected
\nabused neglected
\nthere are
\ndark clouds
\nin the sky
\nof the citizen<\/p>\n
He who seems proud
\nonly when
\nsaluting
\nflags
\npaying bills on time
\nthis code of his:
\n\u2018virtuous obedience\u2019<\/p>\n
My code
\nis learned
\n(if ever learned)
\nonly by moonlight:
\n\u2018disobedience is love\u2019<\/p>\n
Nurtures
\nthe heart
\nin hard times
\neven amid strangers
\neven on crowded streets<\/p>\n
Silence
\nhelps also
\nuntil the time
\nfinally comes
\nand when it does\u2014
\nit will<\/p>\n
Then
\nto do to undo
\nto act
\nready to kiss one another
\nready to die
\n_____________________<\/p>\n
Richard Falk is a member of the TRANSCEND Network, an international relations scholar, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, author, co-author or editor of 40 books, and a speaker and activist on world affairs. He is currently serving his fourth year of a six-year term as a United Nations Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Human Rights.<\/em> Since 2002 he has lived in Santa Barbara, California, and taught at the local campus of the University of California in Global and International Studies, and since 2005 chaired the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. <\/em>His most recent book is <\/em>Achieving Human Rights (2009).<\/em><\/p>\n