This poem was inspired in part from my love of Frank Herbert's epic Dune and part from feeling a little fed up with both the political climate in 21st century America and perceived injustices in my own life. Originally this was going to be part of my collection The Conditions We Live but was cut in the later drafts because the tone of the poem didn't seem to meld with the rest of the collection. (2 minute read)
“Without change something sleeps inside us,
and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune
Wake up! The world around you seethes,
you see social injustice, but not just this,
political upheaval, economic despair.
Repair the bedrock that crumbles under your feet —
and yet you sleep.
I can see our economy once strong
now growing weak, so seek a solution
restitution from the pollution of little minds
behind the problems that we grapple with
tackle it in the press, useless unless
we refuse to accept the precepts given us.
If we discuss, think, analyze, and create
we won’t need to wait until the next time
some talking head obfuscates what’s said.
Imitate our founding fathers,
debate, don’t sit sedate until you realize
it’s too damn late.
Wake!
Support what’s real
what you feel, stick to your ideals
‘cause if you don’t meditate on what’s at stake
get irate, rage and riot
focus your disquiet,
your quiet acquiescence
is acceptance.
To stay asleep
be discrete
accept defeat.
Don’t rage against the range
of injustices unless you want change.
Without change something sleeps inside us
so why discuss, why render a solution
to just engender retaliation?
Invite consternation ‘cause you buck the status quo.
Just sit back, let it go
Fuck that though.
Say no, refuse to be cajoled.
Reject the mistaken narrative
that those in control are imperative
so the rest of us sheep can sleep
and seldom awaken.
Wake up!
Make up your mind and refuse to resign
to the false facts that spew
through the speaker.
Don’t let the future be forsaken.
The sleeper must awaken.