555. Stalking Health

The doctors are watching…

Watching closely.

Their eyes are everywhere…Watching!

As we shift about nervously,

Afraid of what they’ll say.

The doctors are harming,…

Harming us all;

For don’t you find it alarming?

That they cry about each Covid fall?

Yet suicides are fine?

The doctors are lying…

Lying at will.

Mental health they’re fine denying,

And the psychologists lie still,

As public health declines.

The doctors are watching…

Watching closely.

Mask up! Isolate! Take the sting!

You should be scared…Their scheme’s clearly…

Not about “health”!

K. Aldaya, 8/11/21

Picture: By Engin Akyurt on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/44D6S-5jDJQ

552. My Government is an Abuser

My government is an abuser,

And I, its’ unwilling victim.

Some people tell me I’m wrong,

I should give in,

And go along.

My government is an abuser,

Who hurts me all the time.

Some people tell me to like it.

I should enjoy,…

And commit.

My government is an abuser,

And I should love my abuser.

Some people say I have to,…

If I want a life,

And acceptance too.

My government is an abuser,

Who tells me I’m ungrateful,

And guilts me into staying,

And taking it,…

And praying.

My government is an abuser.

I sit in the corner and chant,

“It’s okay…okay…okay…okay”…

But don’t believe it,…

Not today.

My government is an abuser.

I tire of being its’ toy.

It loves to mess with my head.

It hurts so much,

I wish I were dead.

My government is an abuser,

And I, its’ unwilling victim.

Some people tell me it’s okay,

As it calls me names,

And tries to rape me with shots,…

And covers my mouth,…

And locks me away….

But it is not. It’s not okay!

Not in any time in history,

And no,…Not Today!

K. Aldaya, 7/28/21

(Reimagining of 273. Life is An Abuser)

Picture: By Koshu Kunii on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/IpaU5b-Ylcw

551. I’m Not Sure Anymore

I remember when I was a child,

They used to go to schools and tell us.

That drugs are bad, and not to do them;

And now they push them upon us,

Like bullies on the playground.

I can remember when we were told,

“Don’t give in to social peer pressure”.

That you shouldn’t do something by force,

Unless you were completely sure,

It was your best choice to make.

I remember when Smokey the Bear,

Told us to prevent fires and care;

Now people on the media scream,

“Burn down the system everywhere!”,

As buildings burn on our screens.

I remember when celebrities,

Said bullies and suicide were bad,

And were meant to be fought out against.

Now locking people up’s the fad;

And silence lets it happen.

I remember when there were standards,

Of how to treat your fellow humans.

Now everyone believes that their fears,

Excuse them from basic demands,

Of their own humanity.

I remember when I was a child,

Even though I was not treated right,

I believed in human potential,…

For us to do what’s good and right…

Yet, now I’m not sure anymore.

Are you?

K. Aldaya, 7/26/21

Picture: By Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/IEVa-W0kojU

550. Criminal Empire

Until we change the world,

It threatens to destroy us.

We, the victims of life,

Huddle in this great necropolis,

Imprisoned by ourselves.

Look at what we’re doing?

Criminality is normalized,

And normal feelings criticized;

While victimhood is psychologized,…

And for what “greater good”?

Does this help anyone?

Other than the criminals?

Who stomp on others’ rights?

As the arbitering sentinals,

Of human destruction?

Why aren’t thugs called insane?

And offered rehabilitation?

Instead ‘different’ means insane,

And victims get mere indignation;

And all the social shame.

A society’s wrong,

That lets criminals go free,

And others pay for crimes.

Understanding criminality,

While misunderstanding mercy.

For no mercy will come,

When it’s assumed that bad is okay,

And being good is ‘just too bad’.

The most innocent will always pay.

The road to hell’s been paved,

With those society chose to lay,

At the feet of those it saved.

K. Aldaya, 6/28/21

Picture: https://wallpapercave.com/blood-aesthetic-wallpapers

545. Social Division

You look down on those who think differently than you,

And judge and criticize them for being themselves too.

You say to them, “You better love me as I am!”,

And then turn around and say, “You’re wrong, and a sham!”.

Never recognizing the sham as you.

Part of being accepted is being accepting,

Of what you may feel is formidable and upsetting.

You don’t have to agree with everything others do,

But if you truly want freedom, you must grant it too;

For respect’s propagated by respecting.

You may tell me the sob story all humans have to tell.

You may tell me how you feel, and I will feel for you as well,

But don’t condemn me for not dying for you on your cross.

I’m not a God on earth, and have to carry my own cross,…

Along with my personal, all-consuming hell.

All pains are not equal, and life’s a tragedy.

So, why are we infighting? And why can’t we agree?

That life’s far too short, too difficult, and too cold,

To bicker endlessly as our bodies grow old.

You are not a social category.

I am you, and you are me…

The heart of humanity.

K. Aldaya, 6/10/21

Picture: By Yaniv Knobel on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/UvkIx6DMTMk