579. Sleep Now, Propagandized Ones

Sleep now, propagandized ones.

Sleep sound in ignorance.

Tell yourself it’s all a dream,

And wake to happenstance.

Sleep now, propagandized ones.

No, you need not think tonight,

And tomorrow’s another day,

To never set things right.

Sleep now, propagandized ones,

For life is but a game,

And you a pawn upon a board,

Without clear thought or aim.

Sleep now, propagandized ones,

They said you’d be happy,

For all the suffering you helped,

Implement,…carelessly.

Sleep now, propagandized ones

Don’t forget: Close those eyes!

You wouldn’t want to see something,

Exposing all the lies.

Sleep now, propagandized ones,

And dream of being free,

For you sold out all of us here,…

And your humanity;

And instead of finding peace,

You only found more fear.

K. Aldaya, 2/25/22

Picture: By Odysseas Chloridis on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/nr0oz7H6b9g

576. Freedom: Sold to the Highest Bidder

We live in a time when everyone talks, yet no one listens.

Where experience lies unappreciated,

And the most vital thoughts rejected,…

As the most trivial are collected,

To societies’ detriment.

How did we find ourselves here in this dystopian nightmare?

Where truth’s owned and controlled by the highest bidder,

Who muzzles and shackles the poor,…

While distracting, ties them down more and more,

‘Til not only are their bodies not free,

They aren’t free to think anymore.

K. Aldaya, 2/18/22

Picture: By Levi Stute on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/T-JyPYThwtw

562. How Many Will Be Here Tomorrow?

As the world decays beneath us,

I wonder sorrowfully,

How many will be here tomorrow?

And will one of them be me?

The ground has opened wide,

Threatening to swallow us all,

As devil’s in humans’ clothes,

Neighborly push, to help us fall.

I have not prayed for many years,

And it may just be absurd,

But I find myself wanting to,

Even if it won’t be heard.

I fear that the demons are real,

And all the good angels have gone.

Now all we have is one another,

And little ground to stand upon.

((Australian Quarantine Camp))
((Chinese Quarantine Camp))

For I am but a mortal child,

Yet, I wonder anyway,

How many will be here tomorrow?

…I better write this today.

K. Aldaya, 9/13/21

Picture 1: By Fakurian Design on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/1r0TPtmhEZA

Picture 2: By National Cancer Institute on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/701-FJcjLAQ

Picture 3: From ABC News: Michael Franchi; https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-09/mining-camp-designers-plan-covid-19-quarantine-hub-in-wa/100119364

Picture 4: From CNN (VCG via Getty Images); https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/covid-china-quarantine-camp-hebei-b1790210.html

Picture 5: Posted by Jim Davidson on Twitter; https://twitter.com/planetaryjim/status/1298645415831777280