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

[Brad Nugent]

Very good write and how true - yet I am one of the many guilty as charged! I have abandoned the textbook for Facebook, the digital world for face to face interaction - like so many others. Is this New World Order inevitable? Great use of language as always. Your use of line breaks is truly remarkable - a trademark, a signature move! Keep on submitting.

[Starry Eyed]

I love the first stanza, This is powerful and well written

[asdarkeyesclose]

I liked all the philosophy in this and the way you played on the idea of opiates and the 'vanish' stanza which lightened up the poem. Great writing :)

[Kenneth The Poet]

This is an excellent write, just possibly your best I think.

Nice work, truly so.

[Dreamer]

I like the power in what you had to say. Your choice of words were very instrumental in that. I agree with alot you have to say especially this line "Facebook, not textbook..." Great write

[Tommy]

The elation of candy for the the mind, not so much anymore knowledge, but pleasure...A dumbed down pursuit of give me happiness now, and I'll worry about the future later...

I love this piece!

Great Write!
RLG,
Tommy

[Marie Harrison]

Scary poem to me. I see a lot of truth in it. Very interesting.
Very clever poem.

[Sunni Davis]

Very powerful, deep and most of all, so true. I see it all around me every day. This is very well written.

[Muse]

You nailed it! Society is becoming dumb and more anti-social with all these technilogical advance. Preparing the younger generation for less freedoms I'm afraid.100/100, I don't give these often!

[OT]

haha quite the modern twist of this idea - the opiate of the masses - technology ultimately - media - I dare say Marx would agree! great use of vocab here too - "Articulate reason, or proffer effervescent elucidation" - nice job!