in times of
great unrest
the artists
led the call
of rebellion
theoughout
our history
through words
and use of art
they spoke to
overturning
the foulest of
status quos

yet we sit now
at the precipice of
a granular level
shaking of power
where the abused
underclass is
seething at all
the injustices
perpetrated in
the name of profits
and the prophets
of encapsulating
the cause are
nowhere to be seen

art has become so
monetized the only
way to ensure this
cash cow remains
viable is by becoming
as milquetoast as
possible to cash in
checks against credibility
afraid to upset either
side and rendered
toothless and sickly
pandering to ensure
the homogenized mess
is palatable for
each and every taste

forgoing testing
the boundaries in favor
of placating the masses
with bland dribble
devoid of necessary
nutrients to encourage
thought outside the
comfort of echo chamber
melancholia for a
perfect world where we
all love one another
according to their
personal preferences

art was once
dangerous
the spark to
ignite molotovs
now all the poets
strum guitars
while the artists
design websites
and it is truly
disheartening
to watch them
roll over and
show their bellies
when they should
be snarling and
showing their teeth

all while the docile masses
yearning simply to be
entertained graze on
the filler of mediocrity
too easily spooked
to be challenged
while the erosion of
art becomes another
symptom of universal apathy
the blandification was
televised while the
revolution was silenced
the moment it became
about chart placement
rather than scarring
the smug face of beauty