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Fear and Disunity

“This is the way the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper…”
–T.S. Eliot – The Hollow Men

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2016Fear and Disunity

This is how it begins 
not with a whimper
but a bang… 
A roar of rage and anger
long held in abeyance.
A quiet desperation 
as factories close and 
main streets shuttered.
As jobs disappear 
to machines, to others,
into thin air.

In a year that’s divisive,
left-right, urban-rural, coastal-flyover
our differences and indifference 
laid bare.
A demagogue who’s derisive
of women and minorities,
Authoritarian and temperamental
with skin as thin as paper.
A paper man, a straw man,
devoid of beliefs or intellect.
Yet, this is who we elect.

How forward?
With fear and resignation,
or cooperation?
Do we come together 
as a people or stay 
divided?
We’re stronger united.
But never capitulate,
Fight for rights 
For the forgotten
And neglected.
Opposing fear and bigotry
We are better in unity.

Rail against blind ignorance,
In denial of science.
A backward step now could 
leave us all in deep water.
When the Appalachians become
waterfront property 
perhaps they’ll acknowledge
our effect on ecology.
Like frogs in the pot,
we’re all in hot water.

Jan 7, 2020 – Addendum – Requiem of a Nation

This is the way the world ends not with a whimper but a bang…  *
In the waning days of failed leaders 
And a fading empire,
Paroxysms of political unrest 
and convulsions of violence.
Death throws of a superpower
Or birth pains of a
More perfect union?

5 responses to “Fear and Disunity”

  1. Avatar McKnight says:

    “birth pains of a more perfect union?” We can only hope.

  2. Avatar llxtm says:

    I can’t think of a better way to describe the last 4 years than “…our differences and indifference
    laid bare.” We’re not just overcoming those years, though they’re the exposition. I admire your analysis, even as we murk our way through.

  3. Avatar Erica Pasquarelli says:

    You are amazing with words.
    Thanks for taking the time to write.

  4. fent11111 fent11111 says:

    “Death throws of a superpower
    Or birth pains of a
    More perfect union?”

    Love that. Great piece.

  5. David Pasquarelli David Pasquarelli says:

    Thank you.

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