Adrian Mitchell died on Saturday. His poem, 'Human Beings' was voted the poem people would most like to see sent into space.
Look at your hands
your beautiful useful hands
you’re not an ape
you’re not a parrot
you’re not a slow loris
or a smart missile
you’re human
not british
not american
not israeli
not palestinian
you’re human
not catholic
not protestant
not muslim
not hindu
you’re human
we all start human
we end up human
human first
human last
we’re human
or we’re nothing
nothing but bombs
and poison gas
nothing but guns
and torturers
nothing but slaves
of Greed and War
if we’re not human
look at your body
with its amazing systems
of nerve-wires and blood canals
think about your mind
which can think about itself
and the whole universe
look at your face
which can freeze into horror
or melt into love
look at all that life
all that beauty
you’re human
they are human
we are human
let’s try to be human
dance!
your beautiful useful hands
you’re not an ape
you’re not a parrot
you’re not a slow loris
or a smart missile
you’re human
not british
not american
not israeli
not palestinian
you’re human
not catholic
not protestant
not muslim
not hindu
you’re human
we all start human
we end up human
human first
human last
we’re human
or we’re nothing
nothing but bombs
and poison gas
nothing but guns
and torturers
nothing but slaves
of Greed and War
if we’re not human
look at your body
with its amazing systems
of nerve-wires and blood canals
think about your mind
which can think about itself
and the whole universe
look at your face
which can freeze into horror
or melt into love
look at all that life
all that beauty
you’re human
they are human
we are human
let’s try to be human
dance!
4 comments:
I think this might possibly be construed as ambiguous. People wanted to send it into space in order to demonstrate the qualities of human life, and have pride in our ability to be wise should some other being find it and (be able to) read it.
I, on the other hand, would like to send Margaret Thatcher into space because I can't stand the vile bloodsucking old bag.
I hope that this helps.
*snickering*
He's such a warm soul, isn't he!
If we're getting to choose what to send into space, lemme know.
Thank you for the consideration.
BTW--I kinda sorta like the poem.
Happy Holiday to you, sir!
Vicus, that is probably the most helpful thing I've ever heard you say.
<=== waves to Mel
Merry Christmas!
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