Admissible Dinkum Poem by Paul Brookes

We are told to be happy with the crumbs you're offered
that fall from the high table.
be satisfied with the rights you're offered,
rights that were never the oppressors to give but ours by right.

don't, they say rock the boat,
be satisfied with what we allow,
because we can take it away tomorrow
laws can be change as well as made.
we live with this Damocles sword.

so now we have given you what you desire,
what we withheld from you, be happy.
now we've given you your freedom.

Oh yes be happy with what by rights was always yours,
that is always the tune the oppressor writes.

be thankful we no longer oppress you, they say,
enslave you or no longer make you a criminal.
kill you for who you are or the colour of your skin,
be grateful for our magnanimity.

Yet in the end remember, you cannot give us back our dignity,
because, guess what, we never lost it.