Poem: War

Cigarette smoking is dangerous
not a good habit at all
climbing unknown walls is hazardous
because the wall might fall.
If you walk down the street be the walk quite brisk
you and I know you’re taking a risk.
And if de same time you feel your belly start to swell
chances are you eat too well.
One could dream about a life of peace
one can try to bring peace to the beast.
Everybody seeking some utopia
what we need is the will to come over.
War is a danger to your health
don’t care if you have much wealth.
War is a dangerous ting,
even if you’re not partaking.

Workin’ on a building site is cruel
you take a risk if you ride on a mule
if you walk on the left and you see one fight
the best ting to do is walk on the right.
Racin’ driving is a serious business.
Be careful of your liver if you drink too much Guinness
and if you live on LSD
blame nobody if your mind don’t free
all we hear is war, more war
I and I know that can’t get far
just because dem live in the West
dat don’t mean dey is de best.

War is badder dan cigarettes
war is worse dan racin’ driving
remember dis and don’t forget
World War Three means no surviving.
Unity is a strong foundation
love is better than fear
what we need now is good relations
as politicians don’t care.
So I talk to the young and old
come take a peaceful stroll
don’t care if you have much wealth
war is a danger to your health.
War is a dangerous ting,
even if you’re not partaking
just smoking
not partaking.

Benjamin Zephaniah

International journal of epidemiology

Published in The Dread Affair. Arrow Books 1985.