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A Progressive Shadow

A series of real challenges and troubling world events 
In our twenty-first century give us a definite reason and
An urgency to pause and reflect on mankind’s situation.

Our world today—more than at any other time in the past, 
Is faced with an uncertainty and a palpable anxiety that is
Pervading on the world stage for all of us to sense and see.

These challenges and situational-events are so daunting and 
Form a “progressive shadow” engulfing the soul of mankind.
They cry out now for collective action to find real solutions.

Our technological advances are indeed impressive for sure,
But our stewardship of our planet is lacking, a true tragedy,
As the World Climate edges closer toward a vast cataclysm. 

Our political leaders choose to bury their heads in the sand.
Now is the time we must to face down all of these problems, 
As Mother Nature herself cries out warnings to our deaf ears.

The classical scourges: Tyranny, Poverty, Disease, and War 
Are still with us today as they have been from the very start.
They accentuate mankind’s great shame for all of us to see! 

Atrocities, Famine, Refugees, and Terrorism add their lot
To this growing list along with Nuclear Proliferation and
Political Mendacity for Personal Gain—with no end in sight!

Reasonable answers and solutions abound to these enigmata,
And people are in strife and rightfully want something better;
Yet the oft-noted solution is the “Head-in-the-Sand Syndrome.”

Despite any true faith in God, mankind must be self-reliant,
As a distant deity plays tough love with the bad decisions of 
His “Divine Creation” as we all stumble along without a clue. 

This creates fear, frustration, and anxiety that multiply readily,  
Making potential solutions and decisions even harder to do.
There can never be easy answers under these circumstances!

The tasks facing mankind are many and Sisyphean for sure; 
Yet we must have the courage to face them down as we seek
Realistic accountability from our politicians and big business.

Meanwhile God is watching and Mother Nature is waiting . . .
For mankind to do the right thing and to step up to the plate;
For the “Collective We” hold the keys to make these changes.

Can we do it? Will we do it? Can we rectify our inhumanity?
Can our nation-states serve the people and not themselves?
Can we not all realize that we’re in this tragic mess together?

Tin-eared dictators and fools will gladly tell us all differently.
The temptation to take the easy way out is always there for us.
But are we prepared to inherit this wind and reap its vengeance?

Meanwhile we continue on our present tortuous path oblivious
To the realities facing us squarely down every minute of the day.
In a mythical sense—perhaps we wait for Jotunheim to save us?

Eventually all the sand in “Earth’s Hourglass” will run out and
Our gig will be up, and all of us will be forced to pay the Piper!
Are we not better than this? Let us hope we can find the courage!

Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved – October 29, 2015
(Unrhymed Tercet)
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