If You Would

You could stop the factory whistles blowing, 
Stop the mine machines from going, 
Stop the atom bombs exploding, 
Stop the battleships from loading, 
Stop the merchant ships from sailing, 
Stop the jail house keys from turning, 
Stop the trains from running, 
Wheels from rolling where they roll, 
     Mouths from eating
     Hearts from beating—
     Starve and die to save your soul—
          If you would.
          You could
          If you 
          Would.