They Say

Close all the borders, guard up the shore, 
they say you're not welcome on this land anymore. 
Round up the children and turn back the boat, 
'Don't bother us' they say to hearts so full of hope. 

Drive on regardless, sew up the sky, 
'Don't get involved', they say it's what's best for you and I. 
Tear down the camps and build up the wall,
'Turn on news at ten' they say, to watch their cities fall. 

Secure all the the airports, blockade the streets, 
'Check all cars and vans' they say and round up the fleets. 
'Not our problem, country's full, it's our land' they insist,
close your eyes and hold your ears, pretend they don't exist.

Pull closed the curtains and lock all the doors, 
blank out the banners raised that ask to stop the wars.
Switch off the TV, scratch out the photographs, 
drown out the screams and sirens, with British bulldog laughs. 

Tear up the leaflets, ignore the calls for aid, 
dismiss the facts and figures of the lucrative arms trade. 
'Applaud the ones in suits' they say, shun the ones who've fled, 
Look up to those well spoken and neglect the underfed. 

Forget the past mistakes they say, dismiss the calls for war, 
lives go on but we owe it to them never to ignore,
The third world crisis, the first world perks, the privilege of choice, 
to open ears and hearts to the disadvantaged voice.