As the plunder and profits of
failed politics fades
another day into the anonymity
of wealth, power, and privilege,
I see before me
in the evening twilight
two people talking.
Edging closer,
I hear one
confide to the other -
"Today I felt the frustration,
uncertainty and despair
of this American Moment.
Today, I lived the hardship,
misery and stress
of a proud industrious people
living in 'quiet desperation'.
Today our ruin and deprivation
bear witness to the duplicity,
iniquity and pretension
of this American Moment.
Today I know this day
is my everyday
for all my tomorrows.
Suddenly, I feel the
promise of freedom
pull at every fiber
of my being;
I feel the trepidation,
panic and fear
of this American Moment.
I see the reality
of a people suffering -
robbed of America's industrial prosperity,
security and stability.
I see my country
strugging to survive
in a wilderness of greed.
I see my homeland
drowning in the debt
of a rich man's folly -
financial growth gimmicks
trillion dollar bank bailouts
billion dollar tax cuts.
I see my countrymen
weep for want
of productive full-time jobs
and a liveable family wage.
I see the face of the hungry,
the helpless, the hopeless;
I feel my neighbor's pain.
As I pause to face
the blowing tempest
knock at freedom's door,
I ask myself 'why'?
Why, you, our elected
representatives,
why have you
abandoned us?
Why you, in whom
we have placed our trust,
why have you forsaken
your people?
We, who labor to keep
America strong,
feel deserted ... sacrified
for the enrichment of a few.
We, who defend America
in freedom's name,
feel defenseless and alone.
We, the people
of this American Moment,
feel betrayed and forgotten.
We, the people of America,
a people suffering
in every city,
in every village,
in every town,
cry out for 'one' among us
with the courage, the vision,
the integrity to lead
this Republic of Washington,
Jefferson and Lincoln
to a new age of
Freedom, Equality, and Justice
and to restore this great nation
'of the people,
by the people,
for the people'
to the people
of this Anerican Moment."
Sentiments penned by M. G. Montpelier
October 12, 2014
Comments:
Graphic and profound. The two faces that instantly come to mind are George Washington and Jean Valjean, the hopeful, shining light and the hopeless man branded as thief, respectively. Only it's going to be about a lot more than being hunted down over a loaf of bread. Already is. We may all be collectively experiencing Les Miserables in one way or another.