For the First Time…
For the first time
I feel anxiety expressing my opinion
to certain people.
Even those I thought I knew.
For the first time…
I’m not completely optimistic
that my grandchildren will have
a better life than mine.
… I acknowledge that the welcome sign
on the Statue of Liberty
is false advertising.
And it would be more honest
to overpaint it with
“Really sorry about the Storm.
No room at the Inn.”
For the first time
… I know what
“Fear Itself” means.
… I understand that being smart
is not even in the same genrè as being wise.
And that so many Americans are neither.
For the first time
… I realize the distance between
Democracy and Fascism
is as fragile as the separation
between
reality and insanity.
… I see the need to teach
Dignity and Civility
and not just to observe
“works and plays well with others.”
For the first time
… I understand how a normal democracy
could freely elect
a raving madman.
… I realize that sometimes you only need
to fool the people once.
… I feel that we are totally unprepared
for the enemy from within.
… I can envision an even remote
possibility of a world in which the US
is not number one.
For the first time
… I see that The People
are not as smart
as I thought we were.
… I see Americans with
their confidence Waning .
For the first time
… Do I see a generation
quiver and question their
readiness to meet their
greatest challenge.
… Do I realize how the blinding glitter of gold
morphs in the mind
and substitutes for an indication
of wisdom and worthiness, leadership and skill,real success
and ability.
For the first time
… I understand how false idols
have additional allure
in difficult times and challenging moments.
For the first time
…. Do I see among the docile masses
An awakening frustration
As they realize
that their values are being violated
by the vulgar and vain, who have
hoodwinked
and hijacked freedom’s train.
For the first time
… in my generation do I see
a restive people armed with constitutional guarantees
Preparing to step up and stop
a derailment.
For the first time
Do I see so many of the disengaged
ready to fight for what
they had taken for granted.
For the first time
I know what it means:
I want my country back.
Gary Ackerman
Roslyn
