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

534. The Devil’s in the Details (Uncensored)

They told him that he was insane,

When life had beaten him down,

And instead of offering love and support,

They gave him drugs in which to drown.

They told him to stay locked away,

“To protect the most innocent”;

While the suicidal were sacrificed,

Upon their altar of consent.

They told her the baby should die,

When she feared being a mother.

Instead of helping her be one,

They taught her how to smother.

They told her she was only worth,

The money she could earn.

There was no worth in “family” work.

A home was meant to burn.

They told her she could have it all,

When there is only so much time,

So instead of having everything.

Everything was out of time.

They told him he was guilty,

For the crimes of a skin color.

Instead of individual guilt,

All are guilty for another.

They told him he was racisms’ victim.

That everyone else held him back.

So instead of giving him a hand to stand,

They stood upon his back.

They say they care for nature,

While they destroy it all too well,

And conspire against human life,

Forgetting humans are of nature as well.

They told him he was toxic,

For simply being born a man.

Instead of accepting nature as it is,

They told him he’d be better as a tran.

They told her sex is a construct,

Of an oppressive system,

While oppressing her with testosterone,

Was part of their stratagem.

They told him to speak his mind,

That the country was still free.

Instead they censored and cancelled him,

‘Til he promised (on one knee) to never again disagree.

They do not care about you,

But there are those out there who care,

They just aren’t for big government,

For power does not care.

Power seeks more power,

Be it by fear, or by deceit.

If they wanted to build where you stand,

You’d end up in concrete.

They’ll tell you they are in the right,

When all they do is wrong.

If one says one thing and does another,

You can bet they’re leading you along….

Into the depths of hell.

K. Aldaya, 04/19/21

Picture 1: By: Murilo Gomes on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/EYdFerWxoQY

Picture 2: By: Tech Nick on Unsplash; https://unsplash.com/photos/5YuVGW2deMw

470. It’s Only Fair

black-and-white-girl-nature-photography-Favim.com-356563

They say that life,…it isn’t fair.

That the best of us die young;

And men who live until old age,

Still die with songs unsung.

Yet tears give life to the Earth,

And the dead find a place to lie.

You raped me, but it’s alright;

‘Cause I,… I watched you die.

It’s said that there is a plan,…

Some meaning to it all.

Yet I find it hard to sleep at night,

As people rise and fall.

Will anyone remember you?

Will they laugh or will they cry?

You raped me, and it’s not alright,

Yet I…, maybe I should feel glad,…

For I,…I watched you die.

Did the angels ever get to fly or is it just a tale,

Told by early men who died by both monster and sail?

I do not know much of it,

Though I fear it’s all comforting lie.

Those who hurt, rape, and kill,…

One day they too will die.

Is death the great equalizer?

In death is all made right?

Will the criminals and the victims,

Go together toward the light?

All men are born victims,

And even criminals cry;

And even though you hurt me,

I didn’t want you to die.

K. Aldaya, 3/24/19

Picture: Original Source Unknown; http://favim.com/image/356563/