Gauntlet

Gauntlet

Thirty four years

And you still afraid

Take the stand and clear the air

Why choose darkness

Cower in fear

I guess you found out

In your dotage

Bravery is more than a uniform to wear

Medals and promotions

From friendly dictators

Nothing more than movie props

True bravery comes from truth

Standing in the sun

Feeling the light

Speak the truth

And set us free

Others have testified

Bunk and hokum

Have dominated

Nancy stories

Told to men

Who have no clue

Sir this and Sir dat

Were not here in those dictatorial times

With no one to contradict

The WPA bullshit grew

“he was a hero”

“he was a threat”

C’mon man I was there

The night he ran

From a swagger stick

Oh how we laughed

And heaped scorn

The dictator shared

Our mirth and declared

“next Olympics we have our man”

The Calypsonian sang

“run, Rodney, run”

He was no longer a hero

And no more a threat

Just another fading footnote

A big talking intellect

Without the belly to back it up

So come shine your light

Solider man

Add your voice

State your case

You were the Commander then

Now you stand in Congress place

At the lectern once occupied

By the Comrade Leader

Shoes too big for you to fill

A man who could gaff we sweet

Never one to shirk a challenge

Look up at the portrait

Draw from that courage

Gird your loins and go into battle

One to determine your legacy

You want to be a leader

This is what it takes

A litany of excuses will not do

Only real courage

Will win this fight

If not old man

Go back to sleep

Dream about

being Kabaka one day

Everyone following orders again

Straight lines at the KSI

Extra ballot boxes on polling day

Rallies at the square

Of the revolution

That never was 

The gauntlet has been thrown

Pick it up and join the fight

Step over it and pretend

You have not read this today

Truth or dare

Dream or Nightmare

The ball

Soilder man

Is in your half