The Camp

The Camp (how it begins)

The pretence was easy by spinning out the lies

With gullible supporters there was no need for disguise

At first the occupants were labelled as criminals

To convince the audience he called them animals

Nobody seemed to care about the nightly raids

People vanishing in the dark as freedom fades

Soon all the camps were full and overflowing

Whilst the leaders led the masses in their crowing

Why were they being held and not deported

The original message slowly becomes distorted

Rounded up by a bunch of Nazi wannabees

There is a free labour force available of detainees

Cheap labour can be provided for large companies

A small fee being paid to the government as licensees

Other nations then complain of unfair competition

But nobody suggests that there should be prohibition

Then such camps could be set up by every nation

Soon they become the asylum seeker’s destination

A form of modern slavery viewed as a necessity

Everyone agreeing this is for economic prosperity

The gulags of dictators are becoming sanitised

Only a few years ago this would have been fantasized

Today’s nightmare is birthed from yesterday’s dream

You can sit with a six pack and watch but I’ll still scream

Copyright: David Hopcroft July 2025

Rise Up Young Poetess

Rise up young poetess

Rise up for the young let the quill turn the sword

To the ash of cremation and bury it deep

Rise up young poetess to take the freedom they hoard

Show them you rise from imposed sleep

A world slowly destroyed by pesticide and plastic waste

Strangling turtles and killing pollinating bees

Rise up young poetess show detest for the disgrace

These old habits are bringing a world to its knees

Strip off the blindfolds that your elders cherish and wear

As fumes choke the cities to bring death to the young

Rise up young poetess show you care and you dare

To challenge the greed and tear their fat purse undone

For the poor the abused the homeless who have a right

To a life free of worry and a life free of fear

Rise up for women show you strength and your might

Let your words cheer the hearts of those you hold dear

For freedom from war from violence on the street

Let the guns fall silent from the strength of your pen

Poetess use your ink to show the power you can mete

Write of justice and liberty take away their ‘amen’

Shout out for the rights of refugees and those who have bled

From the wounds inflicted shout out for children who fled

For the mothers of children living in dread

Rise up young poetess we need to be led

Rise up poetess against the threats of men

Let not their bluster strike fear into your heart

Rise up against the oligarch and the felon

Speak up for justice liberty caring and love

Your time has come to chase off those men in grey suits

The future is yours to secure so start laying down roots

Rise up young poetess I shall yield to your pen

If I do not hear you shout now, then when?

Copyright: David Hopcroft Revised February 2025