Disconnected

Author's Note: The following poem was inspired by an assignment from one of my University Professors. The idea that we need some man with a doctorate to tell us how and why to show our humanity has left a sour taste in my mouth - not because of the professor who assigned it, nor the man who speaks the words. But frustrations with humanity in general, when we need a reminder to simply show we are human.

***

This assignment has left me perplexed

And leaves me feeling just a little vexed

I watch his face and listen to his words

Anticipating some great insight

But his words leave me feeling hollow

“Show empathy to man. Stop being so selfish.”

Is this how far we’ve come?

That some human needs to have a doctorate

For his words to have an impact?

How desperate this world has become

To think these words are some new insight

Have you no soul that you’re ready to embrace

This speech so basic and fundamental to our existence

As something revolutionary and extraordinary?

How dark our souls must be when we must remind ourselves

And give lectures to the world

Just to beg for kindness to be more

Than some passing thought or ideal

Inside the minds of the masses

Is this how selfish the majority are?

Is this how distant we have become?

That you clap for his words

As though he has something more to offer

Than what should be basic human kindness

That separates us from the animals we hunt and own

Have we allowed ourselves to come so far from what we claim

Is the main distinction between ourselves

And the rest of the animal kingdom?

Are we really so much better

Than a primate who will fight

For her children to the death?

When so many of us

Will sacrifice our own for just a hit

Of that substance that provides

A taste of nothingness?

Just a moment to be empty,

Hollow, dark and without fear?

We need a man with a fancy title

To remind us that we are able

To give something more

Than hate and judgement to a stranger

We seek out someone who is acclaimed

To show us who we should become

As though it’s not written into the code

That makes up our every atom

We are so much more than animals

Or so we claim ourselves to be

But liars we make ourselves to be

When a reminder we need

To show basic decency

To our fellow human breed

So you give him your applause

And you throw your money at his cause

Is this really what we’ve become?

When you need a fancy title

To remind you that you’re more

Than the animal you ate last night?

So, I just don’t care anymore

To pretend that I’m impressed

With his speech or with your actions

When a simple act of kindness

Is more than your soul can manage

Without a man with fancy letters

At the ending of his name

To tell you is expected

Can you really not manage

Your humanity to remember

Without a daily reminder?

No, I really don’t care anymore

To play this game with you

You expect me to watch this talk

And explain why it is important

So, here's my answer for you:

If a reminder to be human

You need on a daily basis,

If you cannot manage on your own

To remember you have obligations

To your fellow man and the world in which you live,

Please find another man with fancy letters

At the ending of his name

To explain this simple concept to you

Because my humanity is taxed

By the ideocracy you show

And I'd rather hug my cat

Than waste another moment

Trying to explain to you

Why we shouldn't need an expert

To tell us how to be kind

***

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