594. Humans Silence Screams

Humans silence screams,

Yes, they refuse to hear.

They smother feelings with their hands,

And whisper, “No, not here!”.

Humans silence screams,

And leave voices estranged.

Severing all the connections,

‘Til the harm can’t be changed.

Humans silence screams,

And use without remorse.

They want the best without the worst,

And they get it by force.

Humans silence screams,

And exterminate choice.

For mutilated vocal cords,

Can not, then, bear a voice.

K. Aldaya, 10/19/22

Picture: From Vampire Diaries; https://tenor.com/view/choke-strangle-cant-breathe-gif-12216423

583. Disinformation and Lies

If truth hurts someone’s feelings,…

It’s disinformation,…

Though hurting you for it’s the state of the nation.

Politicians start race wars,

While blaming you and me,…

And praise morality,…

While spreading bigotry.

The masses tally point-cards,…

In games of victimhood,…

Then throw help away,…

Victimizing victimhood.

–People grow ever more tired and cruel,

Behind screens,…comments, texts, and tweets.

Trashed for each typo and misword,…

Passed with nary an eye to meet.–

What good’s a mouth that’s muzzled?

What good’s a mind, unwise?

What good’s a human heart,…

Where love can not arise?

K. Aldaya, 5/19/22

Picture: By: Maarten Scheer on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/7Ouf2hMCYi4

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

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.

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

525. Vampireland

This land is full of Vampires,

Who long to steal my blood and soul.

I’m not a toy. My life is my own.

So no, I can not just give up my soul.

Accept me as I am, or leave me alone.

It’s taken time to realize,

I don’t exist to be their prey.

It is not my responsibility,

To help them feed, or feel a certain way.

It is not my duty to keep them happy.

I don’t owe an explanation.

A caring being wouldn’t need one.

If understanding…they would understand,

That people’s feelings, they can not be won,

By abuse, manipulation, or demand.

Oh Vampires! Hark, hear me well!

I’m allowed to feel what I feel.

You have two choices: Accept it or leave.

I am not your prey, and I’ll never kneel,

To monsters with such hearts as can only receive.

This land is full of Vampires,

Who long to consume without care;

And they do not endure in night’s shadows.

They walk in the sun with us, and you’d swear,

That they’re no different from others you know.

Except that they will feed on you,

Until there’s nothing left to take;

And never ‘nough to fill them, they’ll curse and jeer.

So don’t feel guilty for bearing a stake…

In your own life…

Do not let Vampire’s near,

For they only know how to take!

K. Aldaya, 9/18/20

Picture: By Jean Toir on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/90rOCLank_Y