How Long, O Lord?

They listen, but no one really hears.

They're watching, but no one understands a thing. 

The minds are dulled, 

The ears are stoppered,

The eyes stare off into the middle distance, 

And no one is paying attention anymore. 


How long, O Lord?


The waters rise with the thermostat

As we sit in our pots, 

Slowing boiling because the water used to be fine.

Some shout it still is. 

Wildfires rage and hurricanes devastate,

But the pandemic was just a hoax. 


How long, O Lord? 


The rich eat the poor while the other poor defend the rich, 

Choosing instead to blame immigrants or something crazier, 

Like the deep state or secret satanic pedophiles.

The gap grows wider and wider 

Between the people who have power and the people who gave it to them,

And corporations with deep pockets pull the strings. 


How long, O Lord?


The mentally ill are ostracized, 

Those struggling with addiction only have themselves to blame. 

The only sin that's unforgiveable 

Is pointing out the emperor's lack of clothes

Instead of extoling their virtues and splendor

Like all the other "real" Americans. 


How long, O Lord?


Call them baby murderers or warmongers instead of trying to understand.

Call them perverts instead of people who love people.

Call them bigots instead of people who are scared of how fast things are changing.  

Call them terrorists instead of people of peace and deep conviction.

Talk right past each other without any empathy or compassion.

Hurl insults across the aisle and shoot the wounded. 


How long, O Lord?

Will even a remnant remain after this all shakes apart?


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