Societal Blight

Andrew R. Duckworth

I.

I’ve seen us gather around,
Hold hands around the fire,
Naively sing kumbaya
As if it could somehow
Solve our problems.
I’ve seen us in the next breath
Break hearts and sling fists,
Declare a traitor in our midst,
Point accusing fingers at a foe,
Declare ourselves saints
With makeshift halos
Better suited for the trash bin.

I’ve seen us make promises,
Give words of welcome,
Extend a helping hand,
Say we love and trust
With our fingers crossed.
Then, I’ve seen us feast
On death and betrayal
And be cruel enough
To beg for seconds,
Stop just short of the finish
To trip who is in second,
Hold ourselves blameless
While the blood is fresh
On our hands.

II.

I’ve always seen us bend the knee
To cowardly men considered kings
And wonder what the future brings.
I’ve seen us run instead of walk,
Speak when we shouldn’t talk,
Yet be bound to puppet strings.
And we keep redefining “freedom,”
And what it means to be free
While we love to be controlled
By what would consume you and me.