Did you think, for a moment, we would waiver? Did you hope, for an instant, we might fall? Do we look like scared, weak children? A young nation with no strength at all?
When you look here, do you see us fearful? Do we seem to be searching for light? Are we shaking, pale, sweating and worried? Lambs afraid of wolves in the night?
Do we shrink from loud voices of anger? Do we stand tall but refuse to fight? Are we pushing our way through a crowded world, telling all others they're wrong and we're right?
Have we not earned our right to a voice? Should we sit quietly until asked to speak? You would have us punished for giving a choice, of hope and prosperity to the helpless and weak.
If this is so:
Look again at the children you've threatened. Note carefully the look in our eyes. We've not wavered from our path of freedom. Through tears of anger, not fear, come our cries!
The old forest holds many dark dangers. We have seen loss and death at the door. Young we may be, we won't deny it. But we're strong, proud, brave and sure.
We've beaten foes with loud violent voices. Taken stripes from those we meant to defend. And together we've learned some harsh lessons, and been stronger for that in the end.
So when you think to strike at our weakest, When you would hide from the brave in our land, When your scared to face up to our anger, for acts of cowardice brought about by your hand.
Don't run, you can't hide forever. Stand up and make yourself known. You strike against women and children, and then hide from the anger we've shown.
Don't think if you push us, we'll fall. Don't hope we don't have strength in hand. Don't think we would back down and steal away in the night, Because that's a mistake, old friend. We will stand!
-Rusty Thompson 9/12/2001
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