Not So Different

It’s a tragedy for those of us who stay the same

When time tries to heal, but we stand against the winds of change

Because you resist, you’ll make the same mistakes

Those are the choices of us living not in love but hate

Nothing but woe and misery precede

When we act in selfishness and greed

And not for all the philanthropy will you ever be kind

You remain care-free

Not caring who lives and dies, forget about all your lies

Forget about the old and wise putting you on trial

Try as you might to avoid me, your eyes tell stories

And I read between the lines

I’ve been there

I want to remain closed with my cold stare

Having witnessed every vicious crime there is

The ill-inclined selling their wares, toting their baggage of hopelessness and despair

I’ve been there

I just want it all to stop

It’s scary – scary and sad – to think you’re so tied up inside that

Try as you might

You can’t escape

You start to rot

It’s hard as hell to get out of this place, but you’ve got to try

You’ll surely die if you stay because life is unwelcome in a heart that stands still and watches from the risers

Feigning innocence

You’re guilty of being alive and breathing

And charged with feeling like a human being in the highest degree

For not speaking out

For God’s sake, you’d rather run, screaming

I would too

Oh, I’m guilty of that too

I’m just like you

But someday we have to stop clawing our way out of the pit of reality

Deep in the pit of your stomach, you know what I mean

That clouds can’t support cities and our fantasies kill the true dreams

Love your chains and they’ll break

Free your mind and take what I'm saying as if it’s the last train at the station

And you’ve got to get home and make things right because you realize

It’s not too late

Poetry Slam: 
This poem is about: 
My community
My country
Our world

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