The people’s voice converted into tones,
Subverting our oppressors’ war on classes
Of those they deem beneath the mind of asses —
While from the mouth of tyrants bray the moans.

The music of oppressors are the drones
That mind-control the weaker of the masses,
And silence more from merit overpasses
For fear that sense would crush their weary bones.

But rare, indeed, composers stay defiant
As much as Shostakovich, who deployed
His music to defend that near destroyed.

And so we look to him, a modern giant,
This man that pulled his hope from that enjoyed
By all who suffered torment state employed.