an update
by Kent Reichert
after Kahlil Gibran
after Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Pity the nation who despises “the other,”
who returns to a past that never was,
where everyone knew their place
and the uncomfortable facts
have been replaced with patriotic fantasies,
as if flags and hats and colors and slogans
are the qualities of true citizenship.
Pity the nation that clings to fictional fears
and praises violence
when used against the unpopular,
the marginalized or those
with whom it disagrees.
Pity the nation that bathes
daily in the warm waters of grievance and victimhood,
accepting no responsibility for its failings,
all the while claiming a Messianic destiny
ordained by God into a faith rarely lived.
Pity the nation that despises books and ideas,
becomes its own arbiter of truth
and basks in the comfort of ignorance,
that would rather be told what to believe
and look no further.
Pity the nation where the mantle of freedom
is bestowed by those in power
leaving them free to dispense it just
to those they favor.
Pity the nation that calls its own citizens enemies.
Pity the nation…
Pity the nation.
Kent Reichert passes the time spoiling his dogs, practicing digital photography and writing. His poetry has appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies.
who returns to a past that never was,
where everyone knew their place
and the uncomfortable facts
have been replaced with patriotic fantasies,
as if flags and hats and colors and slogans
are the qualities of true citizenship.
Pity the nation that clings to fictional fears
and praises violence
when used against the unpopular,
the marginalized or those
with whom it disagrees.
Pity the nation that bathes
daily in the warm waters of grievance and victimhood,
accepting no responsibility for its failings,
all the while claiming a Messianic destiny
ordained by God into a faith rarely lived.
Pity the nation that despises books and ideas,
becomes its own arbiter of truth
and basks in the comfort of ignorance,
that would rather be told what to believe
and look no further.
Pity the nation where the mantle of freedom
is bestowed by those in power
leaving them free to dispense it just
to those they favor.
Pity the nation that calls its own citizens enemies.
Pity the nation…
Pity the nation.
Kent Reichert passes the time spoiling his dogs, practicing digital photography and writing. His poetry has appeared in a variety of journals and anthologies.
