Enlightenment!

No one walks anywhere anymore.

My self portrait

_________________________________

Waves rolled across the horizon

through afternoon darkened black sky

The world we came to know shut down

as storm winds counted time gone by

 _________________________________

I walked outside just for awhile

to see what the damage had done

Only to find neighbors talking

it was so nice to meet each one

 _________________________________

We lead cold insulated lives

tucked safe and away from others

Too many electronic toys

to visit with our own brothers

 _________________________________

I noticed we don't build sidewalks

no one walks around anymore

Too afraid of the evening news

to dare visit our neighbors door

_________________________________

My friends keep their children hidden

schedule play-dates with one and all

To visit with their playstation

just to await their friends next call

 _________________________________

All you see in the news is fear

"be afraid foolish, there's no hope

Don't build friendships with your neighbors

they might just give your children dope"

_________________________________

We watch as our children grow fat

pretending we don't fear the truth

Yet we remember riding bikes

through the creek that ran in our youth

 _________________________________

When was it that we stopped running

then gave up hide and seek till dark

Too afraid of our own shadow

to let children play in the park

 _________________________________

I don't know what we were thinking

sitting with friends all day at work

Where we hire our private trainer's

to make us look like we don't shirk

 _________________________________

But that one day the power died

I knew the depth of our mistake

We should turn off the fear mongers

for salvation of our souls sake

 

Tate

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Author's Note

I find that great moments of enlightenment often come in the times we least expect them. Then in a moment of Zen brilliance things are made so clear. This is one of those times. The United States news organizations in my opinion are all about fear and ratings of the same. If you subscribe to their theory Susan Smith could be your neighbor. We spend litteraly billions on defence to allieviate our fears over the present state of terrorism. Yet more are killed by our own guns in our own country every year than have been killed all together through our history from terror. Here's an idea quit giving money to the rest of the world. Bring home most troops. Spend those billions finding a way to keep us from accidently killing ourselves! If the rest of the world wants to kill themselves, let them! The tribes of Afganistan have been killing each other for at least 1500 years. We cannot change the way they think or act anymore than we change another in a relationship. I see this all the time people thinking they can change their partners through their influence. It never works it never will, anymore than abstinance has been able to stop pregnancy over the centuries. Meanwhile we go into recessions that effect the entire world. Think of what a great life it would be if we could fund humanitarian aid to our own country, our own retirees. There are as many baby boomers ready to retire soon as all those who are already retired. We need to let the immigrants back in. We need them to support these new retirees. The Government has swelled to twice the size it was in 2001. These people don't pay Social Security taxes. They are payed by us and they invest in a different way for retirement. If this keeps up the only good retirement will be a government job spying on your neighbors.

Reviews

[Bud]

I'm sure I have enough thoughts and opinions on this to fill a novel or two. I'll save you the grief, here. LOL Man, Tate! How you have hit such a crucial, critical, and most detrimental point of truth here, my friend. I feel no pen could capture the truth of today's society any better. My heart jumped a time or two recalling how I, myself , have pondered this very thing. I'm as guilty as the next. Letting the news and like media dictate, brainwashing me with fear to the point of nearly being a recluse. Yes, I hear the cry, my friend! Indeed I do, for I am crying with you! I remember that wonderful park two blocks away, with a beautiful creek running through it. The one I used big truck inner tubes to float down, with the homemade paddle I fashioned out of an old pair of cross country skies. The tail ends nailed to an old shop broom handle. The same creek I spent many hours alone...when even then danger was known to lurk in the evening times before and after dusk. My second home that taught me many, many things concerning life for an innocent young boy. Lessons that last a lifetime for the better of good. I remember unscheduled (excepting for when it was school time) playing times. The only time mentioned was how long I could stay. I pushed to the limits there. I remember never having heard of supervised play times, outside of recess at elementary school. Sad times, that an understatement concerning what has been lost, and rendered being a mere memory for the more fortunate of us. When did we lose that control? How did we let it happen before our very eyes? What were we thinking, as you Masterfully asked here? No apology to our children or any other to follow them is enough to forgive us of our detrimentally grave error. A shame we are sure suffer judgment by those of the Highest Creed! We deserve it, though we knew not what we did. To think, that is just a slight memory of one particular area I claimed my stomping grounds. Doesn't even include the res to the neighborhood and the many, many places I traveled alone. By today's standard, the police would be looking for me with the expectations of the worst. I was out getting the most important and most valuable lessons anyone can learn...form life and nature. The Master of Masters. I do not mean to carry on, but obviously you have one of those with this one that just begs to hear a response from the readers who do remember. This is, also one of those Magnificent pieces that makes a reader yearn to go back for just one day, one hour if that is all that is allowed. Never mind any heartaches or the like. Give one hour of those days, and that would last me forever! How lucky and blessed we were. Who would have, who could have ever thought or imagined times would come to this so damn fast! Keep up your usual and most Delightfully Outstanding works of art!

[Lizanne]

You tell so well what the fears of society has done to adults and youth alike. Sidewalks are now a novelty. You never hear the happy sounds of children in the early evening playing hide n seek or kick the can. People are even too afraid to sit on their front porch at night. Never know who or what is lurking in the dark. You did a wonderful job pointing out all we are missing in this modern day and age. Maybe we need to schedule some neighbor time. Keep up the great thoughts and writing.

[Dezarae]

this also is nice, im noticing in all of your writings you write for a reason and do a very good job of portraying what it is you are saying.... very nice and very true this world that we live in is continuing to fail, and worsen day by day, the more people that can realize that the more hope we have of preserving it a little more... take care and keep up the good work

[Flo]

very heart felt poem, it made me think and dream a bit, very nice flow to it and a good topic, good write.

I loved this stanza the most

When was it we stopped running?
Gave up hide and seek till dark?
So afraid now of our own shadow.
We won't let children play in the park.

[Tina Kline]

How true! How true! What a great poem!
It's written so well too, with the way it
flows and rhymes.

It's really sad how the world is today, ruled by fear!

Fantastic poem!

[~*~Peace Keeper~*~]

I like this...it is very true
Great Job

[Magdelena]

Things change. People change. The world changes.. Funny how it was so peaceful once upon a time. When you were able to sleep with no cares, no fears of any kind to rob your thoughts as you wandered the streets. Now.. Now we live in a society of better things, yet they are far from that.. We have gone backwards, not forward.. A shame when you think of it.. For what have we really achieved except machines, children with no manners, and people with no hearts.. Yup I'd say a great world we have become..

Honest and loved it!!!!

Mag xx

[Domo]

Very nice poem. I will say this is enlightening to me. lol
Anyways, great poem overall, and keep it up!

[LisetteCanWrite!]

Bravo.. you hit so many issues in one great writing! The first is obesity.. which I am going to say.. some people can not control their weight.. but I am seeing schools selling junk food and having alot less gym class over the last few years.. they just increased a little so..

The next major issue is a hard one.. walking.. well these days have become harder! Depending on where you live.. in some cases I can understand WHY .. with such powerful drugs on the street available and being sold to children.. the amber alerts.. child slavery.. and so many things.. this can only be decided by the parents and child when they come of age. At 14 they should be allowed to walk on their own for sure.. if they don't .. how will they have the skills to cope with everyday life??? At the same time if they are in danger or pose a danger to others then they should be well watched over.. this is the job of a guardian to watch closely.. as a parent though I know it's impossible to know everything and be everywhere at every waking moment... we need to allow trust and space for that same child to grow.

Video games!!! Well first I will same my son has a system.. but only plays during the weekend.. usually with a 1 hr limit per day. I see a real issue here.. I can see alot of children playing violent games.. war games.. theft games.. I have also seen the affect first hand on my son with one I will not name.. when he got caught up in it heavily.. I could see signs of addiction to it.. took it away! While some games do develop skills with math, hand and eye.. some encourage to read when they have a story line to them. There are even adults hooked in to this heavily..

So much could be said.. but I have already overdone it! I loved the flow, rhythm and rhyme of all you said.. the messages within are truth.. ending with the other very important issue of terrorism.. not the external type but the ones whereby fear is spread by neighbours, news, etc.. when the likeliness of a natural accident is much more likely in most areas then most crimes.. something to really think about.. that which is freedom to live and enjoy life. Thank you for sharing.. great writing! =)