And we laugh, and we drink after the cubicle sentence.
We don't concern ourselves with the outside world too much.
We sit in our flag-infested SUV's on congested highways, and listen to corporate radio.
Insular.
We tell you to brush three times a day,
We tell you what to wear, what to eat, what to watch on the set,
We tell you what to do.
We ship you off to die in faraway lands we have no intention of letting you understand.
And we sleep easily tonight, feeling safer because you’re there.
Comfy.
And we dance pagan dances around the burning hedge,
We protect it in a ring of willful ignorance, and attack any who question it.
We accept the commandments it writes on stone with fire
Without taking a moment to think for ourselves.
Oh, and we expect the same from you.
We tell you not to jump from the roof,
We tell you to scrub behind your ears,
We tell you not to trust those who look different than you,
Or who call God by another name.
We tell you to eat your broccoli,
Even as you choke.
And we laugh, we speak in easy tones
While people half a world away begrudge our laughter and easy speech.
We don't try to understand, to bridge the gap:
We try to make the gap bigger,
We make you do it for us.
We send you crates of canned goods, office supplies and chilled plastic bags of plasma.
And we sleep easily tonight.
Author notes
Written July 17th, 2003
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 29 of 29
-
That's excellent. I concur. What else can I say? It's all about control and keeping the conscience at bay.
-
I have to say Unda said it all. There is nothing left for me to say except a deep write,
-
The right and wrong
The dark and Light
The good souls among
The dark ones inside
The black and the white
The colors that belong
To hidden worlds outside
The minds of the strong
Who can not secern wrong
From what is truly right
As time's shrieking song
Will ungraciously subside
In the still of infinity's end
At the will of Highest Command
-
This is amazing! This mirrors my thoughts and poetry! I think you have spoken out here with great truth and I so appreciate that!
Well done, keep questioning!
Sends
Creatress -
Jaded
To my eyes this seems quite cynical. Yes, Sometimes We're Wrong, yet Sometimes We're Right. It is a flawed existence that we live in a flawed world, and if we have privleges that others don't and in our opulent wealth can see others in need, and respond to help, the world as a whole is much better off. Suffering is not foreign to us, yes we send our soldiers off to defend some cause and feel safer for it, but I'm thankful we have soldier's to defend us and help others who are oppressed. Many who do serve feel honored to do it. We have the freedom to speak as we chose, of course but our words aren't always carefully chosen to make any point. What we have to say to the rest of the world isn't always wanted. We should at least be humble enough to know what it is that's desired from us. I see what you've written and know that there are always more facets to examine or flaws to be seen. Well written of couse and your work, challenges some conventions that doesn't make perfect sense. -
I'd rather not think about it- if I were given a chance to see all the disasters averted as we slept, I wouldn't want to. If I had a chance to see all the ways I've failed, I also wouldn't want to!
-
Oh yes...you're absolutely right with the title and the thoughts was just explicitly expressed by the words you used, very substantial piece! Greatly done!
-
wow...i really enjoyed reading this...and i really understand sum of it becuz im an army brat....my dads been deployed i dunno how many times now....and i like how ended with
And we sleep easily tonight.
i just loved it -
I really struggled with this ... struggled a lot. I guess it is because I have a teen....18, who is having some emotional problems right now, and is suffering from depression. I read all those things that I tried to do as a good parent. We did all the things as a family....loving parents, went to church, dinners together, PTA mom, blah, blah blah. It isn't suppose to happen like this. I know I am rambling, but your poem hit me hard....at a bad time, I guess.
It is very good, thank you.
Cheryl -
A
Tough subject to write on. I loved the poem as it was written with emotion. This is a great poem and I hope everyone gets a chance to read it as it has to do with the world. -
I feel the 'we' in this poem are the politicians who run our lives. I feel this was a very powerful poem which you did really well- strong message which I liked a lot. A good poem, keep them coming
-
sometimes we're right
and we smile the laughing smile,
and we shine in the darkness surrounding us,
and we fall to wayside with giggles.
and sometimes, only sometimes,
but it seems to last for so very long,
we slip into the why can't i move,
why don't i move,
why should i move
and then the spirit lifts
with just a word from another
and all is right again, for a time.
but where am i, you, we, in this social insanity?
perhaps madness is the best form of wit,
maybe solitude skips with solitude,
maybe, just maybe, we are all right
-
The only thing i could say at the risk of not sounding like an ignorant moron is: When you cook with a dented bread pan all the bread will have a dent, just like a broken mold."
Loved this,
Anthony -
This is good, Pilate, and so very true. Though I can't sleep peacefully at night because my son sleeps in a desert surrounded by constant gunfire, and I'm connected. But, I can't stand people telling me what to do or what not to do. Makes me sick to my stomach. Even as a child, I was this way; knew what to do and why I had to do it, and now, at least, I don't get beaten because of my strong will. Enjoyed very much! Really had an impact on me! Thank you!--Kel
-
This is refreshing. it is well written, and has loads of stuff that you read through the lines. Very political ...i know everyone is saying that but it really does hit you when your reading it.
Who's 'we'? At one point i thgought we was the goverment, or something to do with the army...the press, maybe- or just popular people - a religious sect...? or is it up to me, as the reader to decide?
I liked the way the poem began on 'and', as if you could have been already writing.
Edited on Mar 02, 10:57 because 'messed up on my punctuation!'. -
Parents/Politicians....drill sargents. Its all the same. Of course the politicians are going to sound like parents. how could they not. That is what happens when you send babies, YES! I said babies out to fight battles for us.
-
Well Done!
Wow! This was well expressed, and the title of it just sets the tone for the rest, what a wonderfully written piece, and you're so right, "Sometimes We're Wrong" you hit the mark here, thanks for sharing, and I learned from this piece, and for that, I thank you!
-Timothy -
indeed, sometimes we are wrong, but in the midst of it all, so rarely do we admit it... and the circle continues because we allow it to. ignorance iis bliss so i am told, and like sheep we follow willing into the closed pens, wi' no thoght to the loaded barrel the lays in wait for us.
'And we dance pagan dances around the burning hedge,
We protect it in a ring of willful ignorance, and attack any who question it.
We accept the commandments it writes on stone with fire
Without taking a moment to think for ourselves.
Oh, and we expect the same from you.'
they get what they expect dinna they? thier ignorance becomes ours by default...i wonder when 'tis all siad and done whom is really to blame, the shepard for leading, or the sheep for blinly following? this is well done here, wi' enought moral questions to make one think, pause, and just mayhap realise the ugly morals that we accept wi' out challange.
arden
-
I really liked your poem here. It's really good. So many people see the world as if its shallow and meaningless. This brings up alot of questions? Thanks for your comment on my poetry as well.
-
Very good
It doesn't speak well of parents, administrators and so forth; but I think it is accurate. It is sad without a glimmer of hope. It is not necessary to include hope but when the chest was last opened it escaped. Your very good poem shows the importance of thinking and surviving on one's own without apology to those who give us "things." -
Amazing,awesome,love it !!! This was so cool, I am so impressed. Great write and great subject!
-
I too, feel the roles as both parents and politicians are present in this piece.
"We tell you to brush three times a day,
We tell you what to wear, what to eat, what to watch on the set,
We tell you what to do."
Parents ^^
"We ship you off to die in faraway lands we have no intention of letting you understand.
And we sleep easily tonight, feeling safer because you’re there."
Politicians ^^
The way you mixed the two together is flawless, and as a result, the poem flows smoothly. The one part, "And we sleep easily tonight" sends a chill down my spine.... for the government has no clue how those men that they've shipped off are feeling right now. Just once... once... I'd like to see them fighting instead of the soldiers.. to get the taste, the feel of what really goes on. I really like this write, thank you!
~Aimee
-
bookmark.
I love this dearly. -
the government does take thr role of a parent to us citizens so i find it fitting that it was written from this point of view. this was an excellent write, although it reminds me of the harsh reality that our politicians have put us in. great job and i also thank you for the comments made on my poems as well:)
-
I agree with steve83, the way you wrote it from a politions view.. great stuff, you really showed me the utter ungratefulness of people, while they feel safe men are out there fighting for their countrys freedom. Also, it takes the parents view, of telling their children what they can and can't do. Awesome work, of two civilizations in here politicians and parents...well done
-
Interesting write you have here ...I gained a great message from this...this all unfolds with just the right wording, Loved it!!!
-
it almost seems that the 'narrator' is taking the role of a parent in some parts, and a politician in others... this peice is very powerful and makes some very important points.
-
A great write, The way you write this from a politicians view was great, I really enjoyed reading this. The public is nothing more then a block of cheese that is cut up into groups and then forgot about until it moulds away.
Thanks for sharing
Steve -
Ooh i loved this one. VERY powerfully written. harsh truth. excellent work.
Adding your comment:
1 - 29 of 29
