You'd have robbed the world of a prolific poet, <br />not simply a poor petty pet. <br />You'd have robbed the world of an ardent artist, <br />not merely an artificial article - <br />if you'd kill me. <br />If you'd kill me <br />you'd have taken away the people's budding bard, <br />A bard that shoots up gently like a blooming bud, <br />A bud that lies lofty like a protester's placard, <br />A placard that none dares discard, <br />Thus, if you'd kill me. <br /> <br />If you'd try to silence me <br />it would be like trying to gag a bonny bee <br />of the forest that sings and flies about <br />with no feeling of fear or deep doubt <br />about its survival in doom or drought, <br />or even war which wears nature's soul out; <br />It will not hearken to your claptrap - that buzzing, beautiful bee, <br />SO, you see: you may never silence me <br />without first killing me! <br /> <br />If, on earth, you'd kill me <br />you'd have cut off the big fig twig <br />that gives shelter to you and your pig, <br />You'd have eliminated an open-minded, <br />an open-hearted and open-handed <br />and a gifted entertainer-cum-counsellor. <br />You'd have annihilated a protest poet's mountain <br />and - simultaneously - polluted a praise singer's fountain. <br />You'd have removed a third of the sky <br />And, then, tears and terrific, tormenting trouble would forever dwell in your wild wild eye!<br /><br />Comfort Ndlovu<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if-you-d-kill-me/
