October Years

The times of today where so much inequality and terror are all to commonplace.

It seems like it was only yesterday but, it was only just this morning when I looked into the mirror to my dismay I really have gotten old and gray. Never in my wildest imagination would I have ever thought I'd be looking at this old man staring back at me. To my chagrin I am just a shell of the person I used to be. With white hair sprouting out of almost everywhere it is still amazing that I remember where my teeth just happen to be.

 

For all of us that have reached that milestone, the golf cart reality the world today is not what I'd thought it would be. Sure, there are advantages when one reaches this plateau. Being a long standing member of AARP should bring some kind of comfort. But, as I look around it is as though I am a stranger to the existence of things all around. I find myself living in a world filled with too much hate and vile contempt for man and nature where whole populations continue to languish in desolation, despair and woe. The wonton greed of a few amidst the multitudes of impoverished have only created distention, animosity, and a foreboding sense toward the future for way too many. Countries like Syria, Libya, the Sudan, Afghanistan, and so many other places around the globe are a tempest of plight, misery, and terror. All the inadequacies that prohibit the harmony of man continues to infest every corner of the world. Even in the United States countless millions continue to linger in false hope of salvation from being so destitute.

Not since the Dark Ages has mankind been so riddled with the vastness of injustices and inequality among men. When man rises above all adversity that prohibits his upward mobility in a society are only to be thrown back by events and circumstances beyond their control. Many instances like what occurred in 2008 when the financial industry was falling victim to their own greed. Since then more terror has struck not only from man but the wrath of nature has hit all across the land. The crisis in the Mid-East, the terror in France and so many other attacks it seems as though our world will no longer last.

 

What has happened since I was a lad? As a young man just starting out the future looked bright indeed. A professional career where the thrill of competitive sport where just playing the game was the only thing that really mattered. Now, we are in a world dominated by the love of money where greed takes over the actions of so many. Oh how I long for the days of old where the simplicity of life was a wonder to behold. But, in the midst of so much terror and woe the world today has truly lost it's way. It is not just people of my generation but everywhere I turn too many are helpless finding it most hopeless to find a better way. 

   
Now, with the current travesties occurring concurrently all around the globe continue in accelerating mankind's inequality. The factions in play here and abroad have fractured what little hope there was for unity of purpose. Where peace and harmony would overwhelm the evil intent of others. But, all too often the greed of man overtakes the will of emotions to do what is good. The dominance of force to wield control continues to assault the virtue of man . They seek to strangle the liberties of all. Imposing a doctrine of hate and scorn it is as though much of the world really has turned black. The sanctity of life is lost in the foray. The blatant disregard for a brotherhood of man has swept across this world of ours where in as instant we will find ourselves thrust back into the caves of the Neanderthal. Never giving a thought of what would happen the stage is now set for the inferno to unfold.

 

It is those in our world today who have an un quenching thirst for power and control. Their actions of terror that have struck almost everywhere have left a trail that has been easy to follow. And yet, the power brokers seem unfit to act decisively and with unity of purpose to rid the scourge of terror that has infected our world. Too many lives are lost and too many dreams are shattered while the world slips away. I'd never would have thought my existence would be witness to so much misery and decay. Most of us though are powerless to act. We are just bit players that are caught up on the stage. With the curtain coming down on this the October of my years. I am often reminded of what Dr. Martin King said in a speech so long ago. His dream as well as mankind's is more elusive now than ever. Will we get to that promise land? That remains one of the biggest questions left unanswered. In this the 21st century and the October of my years there still lies a cautious promise of a better future. With forethought for all and malice toward none that better future just maybe at hand.