Mr. President
I'm writing you a letter
that perhaps you will read
If you have the time.
I've just received
my call-up papers
to leave for the front
Before Wednesday night.
Mr. President
I do not want to go
I am not on this earth
to kill wretched people.
It's not to make you mad
I must tell you
my decision is made
I am going to desert.
Since I was born
I have seen my father die
I have seen my brothers leave
and my children cry.
My mother has suffered so,
that she is in her grave
and she laughs at the bombs
and she laughs at the worms.
When I was a prisoner
they stole my wife
they stole my soul
and all my dear past.
Early tomorrow morning
I will shut my door
on these dead years
I will take to the road.
I will beg my way along
on the roads of France
from Brittany to Provence
and I will cry out to the people:
Refuse to obey
refuse to do it
don't go to war
refuse to go.
If blood must be given
go give your own
you are a good apostle
Mr. President.
If you go after me
warn your police
that I'll be unarmed
and that they can shoot.
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Comments
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This poem was written about the algerian war, when they tried to get their independence from france, not vietnam. it was originally written in french, thats why there are very different versions of the poem in english
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does anyone know of a good critique of this song? a critical evaulation of sorts?
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wow, i just noticed that this version is almost completely different than the one i own. although it has most of the same meaning, many of the words have changed.. how strange.
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this was written way back in 1954 over the Vietnam war, not over the more recent events. but still, it fits this one just as well.
my favorite part has got to be: 'If one is to shed blood, then go and shed yours, practice what you preach, mister president'.
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Cosmic reading!
Sometimes the beauty and meaning in the poem transcends the individual words. I felt that here. I felt the poem and I felt your emotion. I shivered when I read this Boris Vian. I shivered and I teared up. This poem was like a stick that stuck in my soul and stirred up many emotions and deaply held beliefs. You brought to the front the inhumanity that war wreaks on the whole world. But you also brought to the front the unbelievable weight that bears on the individual who is forced to walk that path. I admire your decision beyond description. You are a true hero. It is people like you who stand up and make big differences and lasting changes. Gandhi, Christ, Buddha all grasped this. Change is the process of doing what is hard. You have my respect Boris. This poem you wrote is larger than you. It speaks to something universal. You tapped into some heavy shit here, and I can only hope that you continue to catalog your experiences. You go boy. Well done. -
This is a really good poem... War is a big deal at this point in time and.... being a person with many friends over fighting for this cause that almost seems pointless anymore makes this poem sort of hit home ina sad place..... Great write!
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I love how you wrote this poem. War is such a big topic these days and you wrote a beautiful poem about the men and women fighting for us. The beginning and middle are very good but the last stanza blew me away! Good job and keep up the good work!
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