There's a scene in "The Hunt for Red October"
When the Americans have the Russians come over
And to lower the tension and show who they are
The men passed around a few strong cigars
Well, if you want to do that where I'm from
You pass your classmates a pack of gum

these days
looking around the globe
one might believe that we are travelling in time

just in the wrong direction

regression as progress
seems to be
the dominant notion of the day
creating wannabees in various disguises
     populist czars, sultans, nationalists, dictators,
     assorted self-appointed snake-oil salesmen
     and saviors of their peoples’ wealth and health,
trumpeting fences, walls, tough immigration laws,
etc., etc.  
to keep out all those aliens

     who otherwise are welcome
     as our partners in the global trade
     that seems to dominate the world of greed

so we can all be ourselves

     whatever that might mean

claiming to solve the problems of tomorrow
     with romanticized memories of yesterday
is hopeless and quite dangerous

do you remember
what that glorified past
actually was?

Some of my friends are filled with fear
Some have no idea how they got here
And while I'm just starting to plan
I'm not daunted by what I don't understand
Since I've been waiting for six and a half years

Some just begin to rise
Others begin to fall
People's sleeping changes with dusk
Heeding the night's call

The early bird tucks in for sleep
The night owl wires up for fun
As people continue their daily cycles
With the disappearance of the sun

It's cold outside, like the tip of a dog's muzzle
It seems like a good day to stay in and cuddle
It also seems like the wind in the air
Invites the intrepid to run out somewhere
So whether you snuggle indoors or trek outside
Good luck to those at the sun's low winter tide