Thoughtful Rebels

A volcano erupting
does not stop to think;

but the rebel
who boils inwardly
as he sees scamps
and loafers so carelessly
dissipating the wealth
he and his fellows have made,
needs to be thoughtful
in his passion.

For the revolution is no wild,
mad thing; but a movement
of working people, in which
emotions are controlled and made
fight intelligently for an end.

The passion is precious;
elan must be sustained,
youth supported, encouraged.
Rebels must not degenerate
into tea-house groups
where tall tales are told,
gossip exchanged—a sphere
to develop a specious liberalism,
a cosy corner for operators
who cunningly plan
to horn in on the success
of a fighting people.

Revolution means rebels
must study the problems
of peoples: what moves them;
how may they take the power
that is truly theirs. It means
ever broadening understanding.
For the world is ours, and we
must learn to know it well,
so that we may command
our heritage.

Hangehow, October 27th, 1969.