Patriotism? Poem by Paige Nielsen

Slaves.
We’re all slaves—
Slaves to consumerism, to materialism, to religion
Because even those who believe in nothing
Still believe in that nothingness.
As our world comes tumbling down around us,
We are blinded by a blizzard of unforgiving
Media—guns are everywhere; our children are too fat;
Anorexia is a problem;
Please don’t take God out of our schools!
Nobody told them He is everywhere.
Mired in a war we shouldn’t be in, wasteful,
Distasteful,
Frustrateful,
Echoes of Vietnam still sitting on our shoulders.
I don’t think I’ll survive until
Our generation takes over.
Even then, what a state we’re in.
The young are uneducated, miseducated,
Raised in a fury of suspicion, self-loathing, and
Vulgar pride.
America is crying.
Can you hear her?