(this is one from mid pandemic)
I think I made a mistake
baselines, fault lines , paradigm shifts
ignorance has been weaponized
what will we do, what will we do
when all the nouns are verbed?
I think I made a mistake
how is there still doubt in that sentence?
A man goes to a party
to get infected with a virus
in order to prove
that the virus is a hoax,
the man dies.
It’s hard not to be harsh.
Is this a new baseline,
a new low?
Is it an intelligence deficit?
Is it lack of education?
No, this is something different
this is a sea change
the beast has left Bethlehem
the malware has been activated
the human race has started to self-limit.
Whatever god, assembly of gods
or conglomerate of alien scientists
malevolent or benevolent
that designed this whole shebang
that opened this can of worms
has had enough
the malware has been activated
the fix is in
it’s past midnight and the eagle has flown
Aunt Mary is hanging out the washing
the human race has started to self-limit.
A man goes to a party
to get infected with a virus
in order to prove
that the virus is a hoax,
the man dies.
Sanaa over at dverse asks us to :
“For Today’s Poetics, I want you all to write in the style of the Beat Generation. Pour out the first thought, the first thing that comes to mind and let the words take you forward.
Feel free to write about darker (more under-rated) subjects. The aim here is to explore the “human condition,” and to write spontaneously. Shall we?”
I thought the above poem might fit.
(Thanks to Brendan over at earthweal for the original challenge: Observe shifting baselines in your world, in climate change, your nation’s governance, the pandemic. )
Stopdraggingthepanda 
Excellent poem. I love it when people use poetry to tell it like it is. The malware has indeed been activated. The gods have had enough.
LikeLike
Thanks Suzanne!
LikeLike
I wonder how many people say that every day: I think I made a mistake? I too have a problem with the constant verbing of nouns, and so-called hoaxes, conspiracy theories and fake news. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, Jim:
‘the malware has been activated
the human race has started to self-limit’.
LikeLike
Thanks KIM!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is incredibly powerful! I especially relate to this part; “No, this is something different/this is a sea change/the beast has left Bethlehem/the malware has been activated/the human race has started to self-limit.” Thank you so much for adding your voice to the prompt. 💜💜
LikeLike
Thank you Sanaa!
LikeLike
The malware has definitely been activated. I often struggle to understand humanity and its craziness. These past few years with conspiracy theorists on the rise, and madmen in power has made it much more difficult. A great poem with sharp imagery.
LikeLike
Thank you Nitin, much appreciated,
LikeLike
Perfect. (K)
LikeLike
Thanks Kerfe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too many “rats” in the maze. We are bound to find a way to reduce the population.
LikeLike
Too true!
LikeLiked by 1 person