Opiate for the Masses

Assumptions that virtue is its own reward were

based upon a complete lack of cognisance;

else why are the virtuous so oft maltreated?

Power, ultimate aphrodisiac, unable to discern

any coherent rationale to bestow benevolence

to the masses.

 

Acuity absent, whilst we the people are supplanted

with dexterity, deferring to vacuous media.

Articulate reason, or proffer effervescent elucidation

attended by lively, hi-definition soundtrack;

the choice, were it ever offered, is now made,

and taken away.

 

Vanish, morals!

Vanish, standards!

Vanish wisdom!

Vanish ethics!

Vanish education!

Facebook, not textbook, for the poor huddled masses!

 

The New World Order is yet to be heralded,

scramble still for adroit life of purpose.

Perceive not, caricature life-livers, the consequences

of persecution by proxy. Prolonged entertainment

is your opiate.

Reviews

[Maya]

In a few lines you denounced in a powerful and eloquent way the lethargic state in which the masses have been plunged just for the sake of the wealth and power of a few. "Vanish education! Facebook, not textbook, for the poor huddled masses!" I find these lines in particular highly expressive of one of the major problems of our age: education, knowledge which used to hold so much power have been neutralized, only to produce this flock of sheep that humanity has been reduced to.

Your use of words as a means of resistance is very artful and something I highly admire! A wonderful literary piece

[SHEEMA HUQ]

This is what I'd call congititive, impassioned meta analysis. Your write so well.

[Lilly Negoi]

i think Marx would twist in his grave...
but you're right. more and more people are drawn inside virtual socialization instead real life...as i was telling to another friend of mine recently, probably the next step in Darwin's evolution theory is the cyborg...

[Teri B]

The Internet, like religion, is the opiate of the people, eh?

[Chris]

We've had our 'Circuses' - for years now and the 'Gladiators' as well. Its the "World" stage that has provided the difference of late.

Well spoken Jeremy.

Chris

[Raven Starhawk]

Writing such as this only comes every so often and is rare. The texture is full of flavors that entices my senses. It is a alluring jewel that intoxicates me the mire I read on and feel myself in the very body of it.

[ivizarx]

I also admire your poetry bro, and this one that adds to that admiration.
It is true, this generation is corrupted, morally and deprived educationally. Something I've been writing about for years. Truly glad to hear an admirable writer such as yourself write on the subject and even do a fine job of writing it. Two thumbs up bro, keep 'em coming. no constructive criticism needed

[nicolo]

This is revolutionary. I'm together with you in this revolution.

[kmartell]

yes, well said. this flatening out of the information age into twitters and word-bites. I like the articulate style of the poem. will we be finally forgetting true poetry instead of listening to it. the past has so much ....Ezra Pound, HD, ee cummings, it seems like even the contemporary words have begun to become the past far to quickly. thanks for this poem, very good.

[schmevavikman]

spectacular!