Bigger-Picture

A dramatic poem to be performed by a class of children in school
(Commissioned by Rebecca Edwards aged 10)
(Published at www.lightmillennium.org Spring/Summer 2004)

It only takes one person to stand firm and others will follow
until everybody speaks with the same voice.

Pusher:

Come here little girl, come here little boy
What a nice little dress, what a cute little toy.

Child:

Don’t go over there, don’t be fooled by his smile,

Pusher:

Just come along over and talk for a while
We can all have a laugh, we can all have some fun,

Child:

There’s a bulge in his jacket, it might be a gun.

Pusher:

Do you fancy some chocolate, or maybe a sweet?
Give schoolwork a rest, have a nice little treat.

Chorus: Child (solo voice)

Drugs can kill, drugs can kill,
You can keep those needles and powders and pills.
Don’t give me no hassle,
Don’t give me no strife
Don’t poison my body,
(loudly) Don’t poison my life!

Pusher:

Most of the time your life is a bore .
I can make you go higher, I can make you go lower.

Child:

Don’t listen, don’t listen, you can still walk away.

Pusher:

Let’s just hang around ~ we can talk, we can play .
You’ll feel good in your body, you’ll feel good in your head

Child:

You won’t feel good when you end up dead.

Chorus:
Child + six others:

Drugs can kill, drugs can kill,
You can keep those needles and powders and pills.
Don’t give me no hassle,
Don’t give me no strife
Don’t poison my body,
(loudly) Don’t poison my life!

Pusher:

Don’t tell your parents or your teachers at school.
Let’s cruise the arcades, we can shoot some pool.
For just a few quid you can have a good time,
Nick it from home . . .

Child:

You know it’s a crime.
Your future’s at stake, don’t give it all away
He’s a loser, he's an addict, he'll lead you astray.
You can be what you want, it's you who should choose,
You can teach, you can preach, you can make the world’s news
Be a model, or a singer, play football or dance
Taking drugs means you’ll never be given a chance.

Chorus: Everybody

Drugs can kill, drugs can kill,
You can keep those needles and powders and pills.
Don’t give me no hassle,
Don’t give me no strife
Don’t poison my body,
(shout) Don’t poison my life!