May Day Rally

 

The sullen faces

with red flags

and red shirts

totter slowly

towards the park

for the may day rally.

 

 

Thousands of sullen faces

some with children

on their shoulders

trudge along,

braving the sun

and thirst.

 

 

The call is given

to shed fear and unite

and be free; promises

are given and taken

to make the world

a paradise.

 

 

The sullen, tired faces

totter back to their shacks

for tomorrow is not

a holiday; the huge iron gates

and the smoky chimneys

look glum, waiting for them.

 

 

And they all wait for the day

when the promises

will be kept

and the children grow

and not be fearful

and for the elusive paradise.

 

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