A boy too timid and shy
To make too many friends
Forever in the shadow
Of those with jobs
And money to burn
Frowned upon for his Gothic looks
Turns to dealing drugs
For the sake of acceptance
A girl once queen of the school
Ridiculed for one drunken mistake
Now outcast and ignored
By the very group she ruled
Kicked out of home
Thanks to the rumour mill
For casting shame on the family
Is now pulling tricks
Just to pay her rent
A policeman on routine patrol
Beaten down by a group of thugs
Blood streaming from his face
Stripped of his uniform and weapon
It's a wonder he can even walk
No back-up is available
Is the return call from dispatch
And an ambulance is at least
An hour away
So much for an advanced culture
What have we become?
To allow this to unfold
And tolerate it every day
This world now seems to belong
In the hands of mini empires and gangs
And our streets are full of rage
Author notes
This poem was inspired by a Queensryche song "Empire". It may be a dim view of society, but highlights a very real need to address public safety, drug addiction and law enforcement issues.
Written June 22nd, 2006
A contest entry
- Ashamed to be Human by Death of the Author.
450 points, ended August 31, 2008, 34 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Ashamed to be Human - Collection Point II by Death of the Author.
450 points, ended September 15, 2008, 10 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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Interesting...
Quite prosy...
I like it...
Gang culture...I will never understand...I'm not even sure they understand. Yes, I like what you've done. I can't quite pinpoint why...but it has something. It's so cold...statements, rather than comment as the comment is inherent in every word...Nice.
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Hello. 'Streets of Rage', nice, used to play a game on the Sega Megadrive many years ago of that name. Your poem; A hard hitting piece, doesn't pull its punches in it's description of the different circumstances presented, or the injustices carried out. Best of luck in the contest. My regards.
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thanks for your comments, greatly appreciated. some times you just get sick of so much of this type of news stories and this was one of those times I needed to vent my feelings about it all.
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This is hard hitting and powerful and so filled with truth...
Its a shame but so true...
There is such sadness of reality here
Brilliant
Lynda
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wow.. that write... amazingly powerful and true.
"So much for an advanced culture
What have we become?
To allow this to unfold
And tolerate it every day"
I have recently in my english class, have been studying issues in society, and we were looking at gun ownership in america, and how many violent crimes there is, or shooting deaths, and it is truly scary how many there is over there, something above 11,000, whereas anywhere else it is below 100. And they just think it's normal...
alot of crap going on today isnt normal, why can't we just realise it, and ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! but the gov.'s wont, it gives them too much money, and theres not heaps anyone else can do...
I like the comparisions about the school girl who is
"...ridiculed for one drunken mistake
Now outcast and ignored
By the very group she ruled"
and the boy,
"Frowned upon for his Gothic looks
Turns to dealing drugs
For the sake of acceptance"
It is so sad the world we live in, that life can go to this...
we should be joyful we have it, and use it for good... not for all the sh*t we do...
anyways, i think this comment is already far too long and you have probably stoped reading...
well, main point
GREAT JOB, WELL DONE
much respect,
NSH
Edited on Sep 10, 5:33 p.m. because 'it looked so blank i forgot my roses'. -
Very true to society. I liked the lines:
"So much for an advanced culture
What have we become?
To allow this to unfold
And tolerate it every day"
It is sad that for such an advanced society with all our technology and medicine and computers that there is still so much violence in the world and people get killed senselessly every day. Gang violence and drive by shootings and stuff that happens shouldn't be tolerated at all in times like today. It's so sad that stuff like that continues to happen probably every day. Well, great job. Excellent write. Keep up the good work.
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excellent
Cut to the bone. Kudos!! You can't address every issue and its many tendrils. This is an evil world where kindness is laughed at and honor is an unknown commodity. We are are soaring toward our end and I am not sure it can be stopped. You see, any species or organism is finite. There is the beginning, the middle and the end. We foolish earthings with our greed and hatred are pushing the end closer every day. I love this and wholeheartedly say, Job Well Done!! Excellent write.
hugs WolfHeart -
This is reallllllyyyy good. it really makes you think about everything.. i often have questions in my mind, like why this sort of thing happen, though i kinda know the answer.. (aha religion) its very true this write,
"So much for an advanced culture
What have we become?
To allow this to unfold
And tolerate it every day
This world now seems to belong
In the hands of mini empires and gangs
And our streets are full of rage "
the way you finished it, with the rhetorical question... and everything its really effective. well done!
i love it!
from me!
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amazing
This really is a great write, Uncle Panther. It seems that your muse has not completely let you down! It's ture, this is one of those things that needs to be addressed, but please don't forget that sometimes the police are responsible for the death of a suspected thug when in truth, they have the wrong man. It's not just the other way around. I grive for anyone who has to deal with any loss, and I do hope that this kind of thing never happens to anyone, but that would be world peace. This world just isn't cut out for that type of thing.
Besides, with world peace, a lot of news anchors and anyone who works in a news station for public broadcasting would be out of the job. That is at least thousands, if not millions, of people.
I love this poem, and it's honesty. Truth be told, our society isn't what it used to be. Good job!
Much love, as always,
Bubbles -
Magnificent!!
Such a true view on society. I love this piece and the depth you have gone to in it. Another truly magnificent piece of art from you cousin.
Keep writing
Love Your Loving Cousin
Countrybabe 
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Brilliant Work
Well I'm glad SOMEONE decided to say this.
We're screwing our world over and over again! We're ridiculous as a society, but no one who can is bothering to make a change.
Brilliant write,
Blue. -
Great piece Panther. Reminds me of my own views! Great minds think alike, no? You still amaze me with every word that you write. Love Tink
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Good peice, I liked the way you told each storie for it's self each person a group of people, on the whole. Great write, I take it from the previous comment that this was for a contest, but they didn't like it. well I guess it's what the contest is about right? any way.
blessings-
Krystal
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excellent write
wow what a true and emotional write, excellent job, you touched on some great subjects i applaud you. -
*nods* Kinda sounds like a memory, anyway its a great write, good work on the flow and the thoughts on it all
Later
Romeo
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