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A Thousand Dark Secrets

Carrying with me a halfhearted smile for the braver men than I. The men holding tightly to past perceptions, live or die. Suppose I whispered to 'em what I've heard through the metaphorical grapevines. Suppose I lent a hand. Would they take it as an opposition, a criticism perhaps? Carrying with me the burden of a thousand dark secrets and I can't even talk about it. In the midst of a patriotic funeral. In the midst of a best friend itching to climb the first military branch he can find. To join forces with the Yes Sir, No Sir mentality. To ride shotgun with the Everything You Tell Me is True assumption. And so who am I to question it... the lowly pawn of this game? Instead I did nothing letting it all burst into silent flame As Open Rebuke gave way to Secret Love We said goodbye to the Olive Branch and the Dove What exactly are we doing when we label justifications to the lapels of the handmade uniforms, "I will fight for YOUR nation with a willingness to lay down my life for a higher cause." Yeah, freedom isn't free, but it for sure ain't what it used to be... Before technology wrapped it's all encompassing fingers around society, indeed the tables were turned. If hostile takeover was your ultimate goal you didn't need hundreds of thousands of men fighting for you with heart and soul. With blades shining, horses galloping, and sieges laying waste to the villages. Because of our Lightning Bolt Communication, and our undying trust for the Order of Things. Because of our Technological Overkill, and our eagerness to unravel the Tapestries of Our Existence. Because we climbed too damn far this time, unaware and uncaring of what was Left Behind. Yeah, you don't need massive armies for your hostile takeover. Just a few precious people in key positions, commanding the grunts below you, with a single pinpointed destiny to DESTROY! "Yes sir, no sir! We fight for the Good of Humanity, sir!" But what in the world do I know? Lacking field experience, bathing in the never-ending shower of omnipotence. I still carry with me that halfhearted smile; that relentless indifference for the men living and dying for the sake of me. For those that fight for a time way back when that no longer exists. I still meander through the metaphorical grapevines, both craving and hating at what I might find. Cause I know most won't comprehend it. I'll be the Judge, the Critic and the Enemy. I won't dare express such hopeless negativity. I'll carry with me the burden of a thousand dark secrets... cause no one is ready to accept Truth's hand. I'll keep it to myself and no one else because everyone knows.... I'm... Too... Young... To... Understand...

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Caleah Buil

Date: 5/24/2013 9:39:00 AM

Wow, so good. I know the feeling of expressing yourself on paper to get out the anger. I do the same. I feel better after. But this is true. It's always good to ask the question: WHY. Before doing something blindly. I hate when people don't take me seriously for being young. I think you are very mature with your writing. Never stop letting it out.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/24/2013 10:48:00 AM

It's tough when my best friend has a huge family that is very entangled into the military. I feel like I would be "ganged up on" if I said anything against it... they know me as a goofy and eccentric person... their expectations of me, I fear, would be dashed if I expressed any anti-war spiels... *sigh*...

Jack Jordan

Date: 5/22/2013 4:52:00 PM

Apparently you are far from being too young. This is very mature writing. Again, I commend your willingness to speak your mind and express your anger. Keep going... Jack

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/22/2013 11:00:00 PM

Thanks Jack... this bottled up anger gets to be too much... I have to unload onto the paper lest I go insane.

Eileen Manassian

Date: 5/22/2013 3:04:00 PM

Timothy....this is so refreshing. So wonderful to know that you are not scared to ask questions..looking for the truth that is sometimes hidden behind propaganda and mind games. It happens everywhere. I will tell you what PAUL told TIMOTHY in my own words...never let someone underestimate you because of your youth. Youth are the movers and shakers of tomorrow, and you have wisdom BEYOND your years. I admire you. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise and don't lose your voice! LOVE THIS PIECE! Fav7

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/22/2013 10:59:00 PM

Thanks Eileen... you are such a supportive person when it comes to these touchy subjects. I know that some of my friends might hate me (or at least like me less) if they read some of these political rants.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/22/2013 10:59:00 PM

But I suppose it goes back to the words of Martin Luther King Jr. "Never hesitate to do what's right. The scars that society will give you are very little compared to the scars that will show on your soul".

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/22/2013 11:29:00 AM

Powerful stuff, I think some are to old and to jaded to understand.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/22/2013 10:55:00 PM

Thanks Rick... this subject will forever be very sensitive for me. What really drives me up the wall is when people absolutely refuse to think any differently than they have their whole life... even when blatant facts are handed to them.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/22/2013 10:17:00 AM

YOu are such a good poet, Timothy. If you keep writing this well on such difficult topics, I can see tremendous things from you in the future!

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/22/2013 10:52:00 PM

Wow, thanks Andrea! I'm trying to write this piece with a certain level of sensitivity... even though the anger is apparent. I can't deny how it all makes me feel... I can't put up a face just cause you'd rather me think a certain way. Appreciate your support and lack of ridicule! :)

Poet Tacito

Date: 5/22/2013 8:34:00 AM

In the words of the late, great George Carlin: "Fighting for peace is like having sex for virginity". Hilarious, sad, true...But, at least you don't mock what you don't understand, like a good percentage of the general public does. A good piece of advice, don't kick yourself when you're down. Learn what you don't know. If it still doesn't click, try another day. But, remember that not everything is meant to be understood. It just is. Cheers to this piece.

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/22/2013 10:50:00 PM

Thanks for the insightful comment, Drake... that means a lot! I try to not seem like a "know-it-all"... but I can't ignore suspicious events when I see them... no matter what the implications lead to.

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 5/22/2013 11:27:00 AM

I love this comment Drake.

Sasha Maharaj

Date: 5/22/2013 2:43:00 AM

How True. Beautiful write, powerful indeed. ..

Timothy Hicks
Date: 5/22/2013 10:46:00 PM

Thanks Sasha.