Rights Undefended
Defend your rights, lest you say this some day.
They came for the 10th Amendment. I am not a state or other citizens, so I said
nothing.
They came for the 9th Amendment. I had no need of other
rights, so I said nothing.
They came for the 8th Amendment. I am not a criminal, so
I said nothing.
They came for the 7th Amendment. I do not desire to sue, so I said nothing.
They came for the 6th Amendment. I have not been accused,
so I said nothing.
They came for the 5th Amendment. I have not been
compelled to speak or deprived of posessions,
so I said nothing.
They came for the 4th Amendment. I have nothing to hide,
so I said nothing.
They came for the 3rd Amendment. I have not been
compelled to quarter a soldier, so I said
nothing.
They came for the 2nd Amendment. I do not have a weapon,
so I said nothing.
They came for the 1st Amendment. I do not publish, so I said nothing.
Then they closed my church and banned my religion.
I wish to object, but they censor my speech.
I wish to defend innocents, but they forbid me weapons.
I wish to secretly worship, but they have assigned a soldier to live in my home.
I wish to hide my actions, but they search my home and seize my posessions.
I wish to keep silent about my deeds, but they compel me
to testify against myself.
I wish to defend myself, but the lone judge will not let
me bring witnesses or counsel.
I wish to appeal to the wisdom of my fellow citizens, but
I have no jury.
I wish to pay for my transgression, but the fine is
excessive and punishment cruel.
I wish to claim rights not listed, but they are denied.
I wish to request aid of fellow subjects, but they have no right to act.
Rights undefended became rights denied, now no right can defend what I now write.