Work—with Whom?

Yes, we will
work together
with the workers
of the world
but not
with the money lush,
the hooligans, thieves.
pimps and pigs of the old order.

Big stuff
to work together
with those who
really serve the people
but sad stuff
to do it with the gang
that battens on you, cheats you,
instils racism into you, herds
your sons into wars to enforce
its steals, always trying to divide
and rule.

Sure, we can build
a new world if we
work together
sweat running in one stream
into the good earth
that supports all.
But how
can the understanding worker
work together with
the lords who would
take the whole wide world as theirs,
with all there is therein,
just because, as they have the nerve
to say, they "need" it?

Work together, you peoples,
in passion and struggle,
don't just ride along with life,
put thinking into action,
fight to toss off the old
joyously and in unity,
bring in the new.

Peking, September 6th, 1969.