Signposts

Gaudy, neon logos in the cities

Winking obfuscation in the dark

Subtler signposts, muted, warning danger

Too subtle, though, to imprint, make their mark

 

Granite guidestones seeking their solution

Demarcation lines they shall not cross

Semblance of democracy, diminished

Much later, yet, before we count the cost

 

Angry words, with ignorance their hallmark

Cast blame, with new direction we should go

New names, old ways, we thought belonged in text books

Forgotten to remember, our new low

 

Angry academics losing friendships

Siblings crossing swords to state their case

Battles raging everywhere, it seems so

Under lights that laugh at our disgrace

 

Too long complacent, thinking life was settled

That progress was direction just one way

Now undermined ‘neath neon, dead men walking

Backwards into hist’ry, come what may

 

We lost our way while working for a living

In seeking pleasure in our idle hours

We didn’t mark the meanwhiles while they meanwhiled

Till lights went out, all over, harnessed power

 

Preserved where words come easily and harshly

Feeding into narrative outlets

Counter arguments, by reason, scoffed at

Supremacy a dogma we forget

 

Bring candles, though they flicker in the darkness

Protect them from the wind while still it howls

Bring flint and steel to keep the basics lighted

Keep the signposts bright, yes, even now