(Please share freely.)
Based upon the 1948 United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. All citizens of all UN Member States have these rights. There are currently 193 nations that are members of the United Nations.
Born equal and free are you and me.
We must all live with dignity.
Gifted with skill to be very smart,
We all care – straight from the heart.
We have rights to grant each other.
Each soul on Earth is like our brother!
We all have human rights, it’s true,
Whether we’re brown, yellow, pink or blue;
No matter our country, every girl and boy,
No matter our beliefs – which bring us joy…
If we speak French, Pig Latin or Greek;
No matter our birth or the language we speak;
These rights are ours, of which there are thirty!
Know them, so no one can cheat or play dirty!
The rights to just live and to be free are ours.
Plus, our bodies have rights – whether on Earth or on Mars;
To not be willfully hurt or held back,
To be looked after, and not take any flak!
To us, my friends, belong all these rights.
Use them, move forward, and rise to new heights!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We shall never be forced to work for no pay
Or be treated as an object – there is no way!
Slaves we are not and never shall be.
Let’s open our eyes, spread our wings and be free!
To be free from torture is our human right.
No beatings or cruelty or other such fright!
We should all be treated well, it’s true,
And never degraded or made to feel blue.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We are all a person before the law.
Our equality and protection, none can withdraw.
To say some have no rights, while some others do,
Is spoken by those who don’t have a clue!
Our countries and their laws, grant us such rights.
If refused, we’re entitled to help to set right!
We can’t be held back or kicked out for no reason.
To be denied a fair public trial – is treason!
No one is guilty until proven otherwise.
If not illegal when one did it, then no penalty applies.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
You have a right to privacy – which no one can deny.
No one can interfere with it – not he, she nor I!
Privacy goes for your family, your home and what you write!
Your good name may not be attacked. Your honor they cannot fight!
The law shall always protect you, should you be attacked or fought.
These are your rights you’ll forever have, so do not be distraught.
You may move about or live anywhere, within your own home state.
You may leave any country, even your own, and come home with open gate.
If in your country you are persecuted, to another country you may go.
Where protection and shelter shall be given you. This you need to know.
Everyone has the right to a nationality. To a nation you can belong.
If you wish, your nationality, you may change. To do this is not wrong.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
You have a right to marry – once you are grown up!
A new family you may form. The law will back you up.
The right to own your own home, will be granted you for sure.
All property that’s yours is yours. This is your freedom pure!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
You’re free to think what you will think and change your thoughts at will.
You can speak or write your ideas – your dreams you may fulfill!
Ideas and dreams are your rights, so spread them far and wide.
Use any route to get them out – your heart’s desire ride!
Opinions are your human right, so spread them everywhere.
Do your best to know they’re true. For others’ feelings care.
Check if it is important – for to cause upset’s not cool,
But if it’s important and it’s true – no law may brand you “Fool!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
You have a right to make peaceful groups and gather all together.
You can’t be made to belong to a group, you don’t wish to belong to ever!
In your government you can take part; yourself or through a rep.
You’re allowed the services your country gives. This right, for you is kept.
Freely choose what work you’ll do. Have decent working conditions.
Get equal pay for equal work – just follow your ambitions!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Let’s rest and have a holiday.
We can do this – now with pay!
All we need to be healthy and well –
None can deny, even if they yell.
All children enjoy theses protections, too,
Plus free, basic schooling is theirs to do.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
As mankind we make things with science and art.
From the right to create these, we shall not part.
In society’s culture we can participate!
Let’s invent and create my friends – don’t hate.
Mankind, let’s enjoy all the arts in our world!
Go out and be happy! Let your wings be unfurled.
You have a right to benefit from society’s inventions,
But do honor the inventors. They deserve special mentions!
Now what you make is yours and you know it.
No one else can misuse it – so don’t let them blow it!
You are the owner of what you create.
If others say it’s theirs, by law they’re too late!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
You have duties to perform, which you now must know,
So your personality may then continue to grow and grow.
You must care for the freedom and rights of others.
Treat them with fairness as they are your brothers!
Your position as a human requires just that.
Do the right thing – keep order. Forever wear this hat.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
No laws can ever squash your rights – such is just hot air!
Laws can only secure your rights, plus what is morally fair.
Laws must always protect the general welfare of all,
And give us sanity in our world, so that none may fall.
We all have 30 rights, it’s true, and the world shall be made
So all these rights are being used and can never, ever fade…
*********************
Laurie Noelle
Copyright 2022
All Rights Reserved
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
The author of this poem is not an attorney nor is licensed to practice law in any jurisdiction. The information provided in this poem does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, instead, all information, content, and materials provided in this poem are for general informational purposes only. Information in this poem may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information.
Readers of this poem should contact their attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. No reader of this poem should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information contained in this poem without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein, your interpretation of it, is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation.
The content of this poem is provided “as is;” no representations are made that the content is error-free. All liability with respect to actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this poem are hereby expressly disclaimed.
