they keep
their eyes closed
for fear
of going blind
their ears blocked
for fear
of hearing truth
yet
let their tongues flap
like flags in the breeze
spilling opinion
as if they understand
what they refuse
to comprehend
and we
let them lead
with our shoulders hunched
deaf dumb and blind
with no willingness
to affect change

i wonder to myself
who the monsters
truly are
as the tyrants
throw parades
while the sheep stand
with hands over hearts
pride spilling
where common sense
once took root
they profit
off of war
and death
while we are
ground to bits
by the ever churning wheels
of hope
in a desolate hellscape
of peace
in our time