Pat Coleman is a Townsville-based activist who takes a hard look at the phrase "Yes we can" in his poem, "Because we can" below.

BECAUSE WE CAN!


You can't talk of liberty
and god in the same sentence
-it spoils the moment.

YES WE CAN!

You can't be a friend of every nation,
Waffle on about god,
and then put your finger anywhere near the button.

YES WE CAN!

You can't bring your nuclear ships to our country.

YES WE CAN!

You can't bring your nuclear warheads to our
shores in your submarines or your ships.

YES WE CAN!

But why?

BECAUSE GODS GRACE IS UPON US !

And........

BECAUSE WE CAN!