When distasteful statues of heritage are gone
and the founding fathers permanently buried
and our country’s history erased // then what?
When the constitution is rewritten
and modified and amendments deleted
in the name of progress // then what?
When the drive of capitalism is sedated
and wealth redistributed to those who have never worked
and banks replaced by government 666 chips // then what?
When everyone is forced into political correctness
and all the “I’m sorry people” are reconditioned
to all think alike // then what?
When “swords are beaten into plowshares”
and all the guns are recycled to a few
who keep the disgruntled in line // then what?
When religions are squelched for deviant thinking
and non compliance revives the “burning at the stake”
and “God is Dead” // then what?
When anarchy and revolution turns into an Orwellian nightmare
and Big Brother/Sister monitors and controls everything we do
and creativity and culture become acts of treason // then what?
2024 is not that far away!
**************
As I watch the conflict and clashes between protesters/rioter and Police and National Guardsmen in Portland and across the country, it makes me wonder whether they have thought beyond their present anger, the destruction of Government Buildings, De-funding the Police, Black Lives Matter, and anarchy.
I have compiled some outrageous questions, all containing some truth, for them and us to think about!
**********
My Friend Ivor Stevens said it best in his Haiku:
Cold steel’s not power
Love can’t be an iron fist
Hand in hand we breathe
https://ivors20.wordpress.com/2020/07/27/a-collection-of-ponds-turns-into-a-lake/
Painting: Dwight L. Roth
Very well highlighted!
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Thank you very much!
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Wow, nice poem
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Thank you so much!
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Most welcome
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Superb work from each of you
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Thank you Derrick. Ivor said so much in those few words!
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Good questions to ask. People have not “thought beyond their present anger”.
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I believe that is often the case!
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After all that, we will live in harmony. At least, we can wish.
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I hope that could be the case!
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Wow !!!!! Great poem and the painting Is the one I loved much
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Thank you! It is one of those paintings that just happened at the time!
Dwight
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Your poetry says volumes as to what we all fear.
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Thank you so much!
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Oh, so true … so tragic … so scary! What next? Let’s sing “We shall overcome,” 🎼🎤 loud and clear – and work for a better “What next?”
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Thank you Jan! It is unsettling!
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More than unsettling – it is turning our world upside down!
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Questions need answering before “throwing the baby out with the bathwater!”
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So true!
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The poem is well written. You have done a great job portraying the Orwellian possibility of our times.
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Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate your kind affirmation!
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Great art piece
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Thank you so much!
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Wow!!!! Yes!!! The Orwellian state has acquired his uniform and its ready to march , may it never make it back!
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Perhaps his prophesy was about 40 years early! Scary thought!
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Reblogged this on Ivor.Plumber/Poet and commented:
Here Dwight has compiled some outrageous questions, all containing some truth, and he gives us plenty to think about!
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Thank you Ivor!
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Great poem. It’s indeed scary times and both sides of the aisle are acting crazy!
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Thank you Nick. you are right about that!
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Our country really does have some dark and violent history though. It feels like our past is now haunting us somewhat.
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It really does!
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Thanks Roth! Well said! Time to get it Together and our head out o the sand!
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I believe you are right! Thanks!
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You have great things to say and we are listening!
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I came by via Ivor’s blogsite!
What a powerful poem…and so timely. And your questions are wise and important and need answers.
Sadly, many are not thinking about “then, what?” 😦
(((HUGS))),
Carolyn
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Thank you Carolyn! Ivor is a good friend! You are right, it seems to be only about the frustration and anger of the moment!
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Ivor is a good friend to me, too. We are all fortunate to have him in our lives. 🙂
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Yes, What a great guy! So creative!
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Powerful poetry, Dwight. What indeed comes next. There are creators and destroyers. The destroyers come along and tear things down with no vision of a future. Then the creators come along and take over. Hopefully, it doesn’t need to go to these extremes. Evolution instead of revolution seems the preferred path for us all.
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Yes, I agree it could happen without all the hostile negative elements getting all the Press.
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Thank you Len for you thoughtful comments.
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Good questions, Dwight, that we need to be asking! The rule of the mob leads to destruction.
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Anarchy at its best! Thank you Lynn!
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…it was the best and worst of times 😉
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Yes… and we think it is something new… just our end of the earthly cycle!
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Its nice to have a pinch of reality within the fantasies of wordpress articles🤧it has a lot of insight and really makes you think💥
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Yes, I hope it does. thank you so much for commenting!
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Welcoome..how can I not with such great posts😂🤗
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:>)
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