Sometimes it seems that gone are the days
When people valued the wise--
When education wasn't suspect
And something to demonize;

When knowledge, awareness, and understanding
Provided a safety net
And were not frowned upon and thought
To be a dangerous threat;

When facts and the truth were highly regarded
And clarity desired;
When people trusted reason and critical
Thinking was admired.

When people didn't think that foolish
Hearsay was worth believing;
When having an open mind was considered
A goal worth achieving;

When misinformation didn't spread
Like wildfires raging;
When honesty was highly praised,
And virtue was engaging.

But, alas, perhaps I was
Hopelessly deceived
To think that's what the majority
Of people truly believed.

Is there a possibility that
All the things I've listed,
Widespread and across the board,
Never really existed?

-by Bob B (7-8-21)