I do not like it, Sam-I-Am

I do not like it, Sam-I-Am
I do not like it when they say
That what I do must be their way

I do not think my plans can grow
If my ideas cannot flow
If I can’t say what comes to mind
Without me being thought unkind

The Inquisition burnt a book
If they thought it gobbledygook
Trouble is, they then conspired
To throw the authors in the fire

The Nazis had a similar thought
They burnt the books they thought were rot
And regrettably, alas
What followed was the deadly gas

I do not like it, Sam-I-Am
I do not like it when I can’t
Occasionally rave and even rant
And one day even dare to flirt
Without a person feeling hurt

If someone makes a stupid gaffe,
Best advice is just to laugh
Words are harmless; they’re free speech
That’s what all the sages teach

When someone strikes you as obscene
Let him know he’s being mean
As your mother always said
“Use your words” to knock him dead

When a bully, during games,
Used to call you dirty names
You remember that old ditty
Short and sweet and very witty:

“Sticks and stones may break my bones
But words will never hurt me.”