The Needed Contradiction Poem by David Welch

I see a contradiction that
grows clearer with each passing day,
once I think we all one know,
once saw as just part of the game,
a dynamic state of tension
that we should hope is not resolved,
for that be would be unfortunate
for all the parties now involved.

It begins looking at the state,
that should safeguard our liberties,
and, when it steps beyond those bounds,
creates a bloody history.
We've seen with Commie, Nazi types
that when states seek too much control,
and try to build their ‘better world, '
millions are buried in graves cold.
We know who power will attract,
we know it always ends the same,
that's why the Founding Father's thoughts
to this day in wise mind's remain.
A nation is not built top-down,
such attempts bring tragedy quick,
no human mind can do that job,
it's changes must be organic.
That's why they sought to protect rights,
to check and balance meddlers,
to castrate those men who would rule,
frustrate all who just sought power.
And they were right in doing this,
the job of state they said must be
to serve those living private life,
make sure that they are always free.

Of course, on drawback of this path
that we see in our current age,
is atomized individuals,
whose whims seem to drive them insane.
The men who think they are women,
young children who claim that they're cats,
women who think we don't need men…
they think they can be 'free' from fact!
People who say, 'Close the prisons,
that killer's just misunderstood.'
Artists who sh-t on a canvas,
then demand you see it as good,
The pedos who claim ‘it's natural, '
don't judge us, it's how we were born!
There's no shortage of deviants,
and everyday seems to bring more.
It's tempting to think that our laws
could help resolve all of these things,
but any power the state gets
it always ends up abusing.

I think the counterbalance is
our craving for community,
and not the local government,
no, the things we enter freely.
I'm talking about your neighbors,
your churches and your civic clubs,
things we build in the private space,
where you hang out with all your buds.
The joint virtues you stand behind,
those that you submit to by choice,
no human works in solitude,
these things we should not just avoid.
Since when you volunteer to go
along with sets of principles,
you're less likely to shirk from it,
more disposed to give it you all.
That works with the social pressure
to act as a form of restraint,
keeps you from being atomized,
so ‘free' that you become deranged.

And there lies the contraction,
we demand the state see the one,
while at the same time seeking out
those who tell us, "That just ain't done."
The state sees individuals,
and that keeps tyranny at bay,
while we all seek communities
that subtly guide and constrain.
The tension that's between those drives
is the thing I am getting at,
when one of them gets out of place
the other side can pull it back.
When we're so free we loose all sense
the community says, "Conform."
When we conform so much it's dull
the individual makes new norms.
It may not be a perfect thing,
nothing human even can be,
but this needed contraction
is what maintains society.