Underneath the Mask of Anarchy

A poem on freedom of speech and privacy in a connected world, inspired by the Snowden revelations, and also by"The Mask of Anarchy" by Shelley, written after the Peterloo massacre 1819.

As I sat sleepless over my keys
There came a voice from over the Seas
And with great power it forth led me
To walk in the visions of poetry

One voice can speak of many choices
Yet word of One can have a thousand voices
We wish to speak them loud and clear
No longer whisper in each others' ear

We have never carried any weapon
Yet you find we make things happen
And now for sure the time draws near
When we have nothing left to fear

We are grateful now the time is o'er
When no voice exists without a worldly power
We can no longer now prolong
The soundings of our virtual song

Our only weapon is pretence
It is our only sole defence
Wielding only voice and key
Yet you think we threaten thee

Trouble for those who do not see far
It may well be that we are
When foundations stir the house is shaken
No matter - it's far beyond time to awaken

We are the one who knows no border
Nor call to arms nor any order
But underneath the Mask of Anarchy
What we really are - is Integrity

And yet you do not seem to know
There is no longer any foe
Today it must be hard to miss
The only global force there is

We understand it can cause frustration
To witness another manifestation
Only one thing can you count upon
- That it will not be the final one

Though you may have a different directive
Try to see through our perspective
It matters little who excels in violence
But only who can stand up for innocence

Neither we, nor our sister or brother
Want to see happen yet another
Sheremetyevo-loo
And that would be a problem for who?

Too drunk on power once you were
It's time for someone else to stir
To action called the time has passed
To raise another flag at last

We are not but ordinary Joe
Not pawns in agame of Friend or Foe
We have no need for your concern
There's something else we want to earn

When we talk amongst each other
There is no need for you to bother
What we speak are merely words
No whisper here of little birds

We want no doors around us shut
If one is closed it matters not
Quickly now we learnt our lesson
And soon we open up another session

Once there may have been as many
That you could play with all or any
You who guard each piece of the cake
Have you forgotten we all swim in the lake?

No need to sell we are not buying
That poking and prying is nothing but spying
There are other games that you can play
We wish no longer to obey

What we have is not the only norm
There are other shapes that can take form
What once belonged to clever few
May now even call for change in you

We wish no longer to prolong
The soundings of a different song
Ringing through each heart and cable
There is a tune of which we all are able:

Rise like lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number
Rise and start - build something new
Ye are many - they are few