Nature knows no indecencies

This poem is about nakedness and is dedicated to Stephen Gough, the Naked Rambler.
He is currently serving a jail term from breach of ASBO which prohibits him from walking naked in
public places, a right that the rest of us can still enjoy because there is no law in England and Wales that prohibits nudity.
The title is from a quotation by Mark Twain.

Walking down the street they scream
“Look he’s naked, he’s got no clothes.
We’ll lock him up and keep him there
until he learns our ways.”
It’s obscene and it’s shameful,
it’s indecent and disgraceful.
His nakedness shouldn’t be allowed.

Think of our children and families,
they’ll all be scarred for life.
Let’s hide them from his nakedness,
And keep them from his sight.
It’s obscene and it’s shameful,
it’s indecent and disgraceful.
His nakedness shouldn’t be allowed.

Do they understand their ranting?
What has caused their spite?
Have they never been naked or
do they hide from the light?
Is it obscene or shameful?
Is it indecent or disgraceful?
Why shouldn’t my nakedness be allowed?

Has ignorance caused their hatred
and brought down this sorry plight?
Do they hate their own bodies
and pour out their darkness on light?
What has led them to this place,
where it’s obscene and shameful,
it’s indecent and disgraceful,
and my nakedness shouldn’t be allowed?

Is my nakedness more evil
than war or famine or hate?
Shouldn’t violence and theft and fraud
suffer punishment as great?
Do you think my nakedness is obscene and shameful;
that it’s indecent and disgraceful
and shouldn’t be allowed?

What do you let your children see
when they’re watching their TVs?
Have you censored all their browsing
and the violent games they play?
And you condemn as obscene and shameful,
as indecent and disgraceful
my nakedness, which shouldn’t be allowed.

How can my nakedness harm you;
why should you think me a threat?
What harm can come to anyone
from seeing my naked dick?
Is it obscene or shameful?
Is it indecent or disgraceful?
Why shouldn’t my nakedness be allowed?

A mother sees her naked child;
a widow mourns her naked spouse.
My naked body is no threat
nor scandal or reproach.
It isn’t obscene or shameful;
it isn’t indecent or disgraceful
and my nakedness should always be allowed.

Gerry 02/03/2015