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

[Sleeping Maiden]

WOW. Love this poem. Fantastic! Deep, straight forward and just amazing. I like your choice of words. So intriguing!

[∂αʌ<..]

fastastic and interesting work...though i will have to upload and heighten my vocabulary level now! hihi....
fabulous work!

[Meghan]

Wow! very straightforward, and to the point. Very well said, and true!

[Safe&sound<3 ♫]

very deep. i like the line "facebook, not text books, for the poor huddled masses!" probably my favorite part.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Jeremy, you were straight, blunt and right on with this poem! Excellent

[Pretty Faces Split Open]

Truth truth truth, expose it all my friend!

[Fairy Willow]

WOW! Now this is a piece that reminds me why i admire your work. It confirms that you are just so talented. I love the intellectual and artistic integrity. One of the most interesting points in this poem is the reference to the New World Order. I find this very interesting and i find it makes for an extremely powerful point and in doing so brings a poignant manner to this piece. There are massive changes and i think you hit upon this and the very fact that everyone is so hyped and locked up in their facebooking realm they do not see the clear picture. On the whole may i just say this is an outstanding poem.

[Midori]

Wow, vary straight ford and blunt but that is a vary powerful poem.

[Poetic Beauty]

There are strong, but true statements made in this piece. We have become a world surrounded by media and television all the time. I fear some day books will be a thing of the past and only read online or on ereaders. That would be such a shame as I love to hold a book in my hand and have the smell of the paper tickle my nose. We also are becoming desensitized because of all the dramatic action we see daily on tv. Things that would have once shock and horrified previous generations doesn't affect us like it use to. great thought provoking write.

[Kat Collins]

There is a lot of truth and wisdom in your words. Yet, I would argue that tv, music, social media, etc. has not necessarily destroyed our morals, ethics, etc...it is the people. It is us. We have let insidious fallacies invade our senses, refusing to think and do for ourselves. We feel entitled and everything is our right...how foolish we all are in our selfishness. You bring light to our pervading illness.