Today's poem was written by one of Glasgow's best known anarchists, Guy Aldred. A man who dedicated his entire life, selflessly to the struggle of the ordinary people, a man who died with 2 shillings in his pocket. A conscientious objector, he served many years in prison. A prolific writer on a myriad of subjects, this poem was written on the eve of his first Court Martial at Fovant in 1916.
from, A Meditation.
To the destiny of manto the instinct of my own natureto the martyred spirit of all dead pioneerslet me pray.Let me commune for health & strength & endurancein captivityLet me pray for zeal of spirit & power of faith.Let me pray for intellectual vision & fervour of passion.Let all vulgarity slip from me & the word, the spiritof truth, become incarnate in me.Let me never deny the truth either in word or spirit.Let me work for the overthrow of scoffers in high places,for the destruction of scoffing.Let me become a prophet against scepticismof worldly piety and social unbelief.Let me become a son of manthe enemy of God the foe of kingsthe destroyer of ritual, ceremony & all useless form.Let truth & truth alone be my mistressand may I bring witness to her integrityfrom all lands & climes.May no worldly ambitionno temptation in this wilderness of understandinglead me to serve the enemy of man,the principle of power and domination.GUY ALDRED.
ann arky's home.
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