Cynicism

...we still too often close our eyes...

Cynicism

Urban(e) smells

suffocate our human(e)-ness

struggling to remember forests,

but still sparing with ghosts.

^^^

We use to howl and rage,

even dance at the Moon -

cursing its phases and

orangeness.

Now we only nod,

that American heroin nod

as it influences our moods;

rationalizing our ability to kill

everyone, everything

different than us;

allowing us to watch indifferently

at Gaza ethnic cleansing

as phosphorous explosions

replace both sun and moon.

It’s like watching small birds

hung by their necks

swinging 

like ornaments

from brown, barren trees,

thinking: “Aaah, this must be

post - modern art.

See how their eyes bulge

and their wings droop just so

in a compelling, nihilistic sway.

Haven’‘t I seen something like this before?”

Yes, there has always been

‘strange fruit’ dangling from

the grand vistas

of the American scream.

^^^

But today,

they say  -

“We can be proud to be Americans again.”

Oh goodie!

But where is the humanity in this?

~~redzone 3.22.09

Author's Note

thanks for reading...

Reviews

[redflutterby]

Your poems are so powerful...they dig down deep into the brain and force the reader to think. Which is a good thing considering that apathy you refer to. Yes its everywhere...our society just sits back and watches the worlds chaos with an "oh well" shrug. Sigh....

[redzone]

Even worse is we allow our government to do all this. There is a cool slogan I like. : "Stop thinking like Americans, Start thinking about humanity". Thanks Red for your review. Appreciate muchly.

[Pryde Foltz]

Yes, there has always been
‘strange fruit’ dangling from
the grand vistas
of the American scream.

I know you meant to address your countrymen with this piece but it speaks to the apathy and xenophobia of any choose not to care. Great write.

[just Penny]

You hit a home run with this one ! I know I am one at times, but I have never truly thought about what it actually looks like. You have put it into words perfectly. Perhaps it's the new norm? I love the lines "Yes, there has always been ‘strange fruit’ dangling from the grand vistas of the American scream." I need to get this made as a magnet for the refridgerator. Brilliant ! Penny