These days Was it something in the air Rancid spite of the right Or the self-proclaimed hubris Of every self-proclaimed guru Of certainty turned onto its left side Two camps had pitched their tents On opposite sides of Main Street Rooted in the traditional With a propensity for being right Missionaries for some diva god Who has come to save the planet Kryptonite is dynamite We’ll only use it if we need to: Blow up the people In order to save the world
Although they deny they’re on a mission When they’re in remission Hear The bombastic roar of broadcast rhetoric Scripted with a very felt pen All armchair generals Arguing with a passion Dare not felt for one another “I can figure out the world But you, Sir I have a problem with.”
The streets emptied of nonconformity Littered and poised with positioning Salvos of so-called sanity Fronts and flanks In every shade But grey Postings on every corner Foot soldiers of the faithful Rallied in like-minded circles For comfort and confirmation Aplomb with understandings grasped No room for namby-pamby Wishy-washy Confirmation bias Only hearing what you want Fire if necessary. **** what you cannot agree on Ignore what you cannot understand.
Choice was not an option Backed into a corner Conformity was Comfortable as a worn recliner Recliner beware and be bothered We’ve been here before Do you remember Words, words, words And sticks and stones and all of that Was never true Every politician worth his salt knew Speeches that sear by fireside Emblazoned by passions ignited And smolder in the light of day A Colosseum of coifed gladiators Spectators raise a sword And toast the spoils. Bittersweet. Now Words avow Ammunition packed in a pistil To go More powerful than the splitting of the atom Is the splitting of minds.
When it doesn’t feel right. And you know it’s not right Because that’s the way it feels And feelings never lie But people do.
A world-weary of war games What kernel of dubious truth Do you separate from the chattering chaff? And cling to Not this Not this Not that
Feelings The riptide of dissension Tearing at heartstrings Tearing the tents apart Mars on a rampage Venus in an iron cage
And in the quiet of night A respite from being right
The Homeless & disenchanted Walked the dark streets alone Pitched a solitary tent And spent the night Under the stars And dreamt of peace and beauty.