It Saddens Me

It saddens me... Seeing folks who once stood so tall; Still towering giants in our society. I speak of heroes who shed blood, Sacrificed limbs and risked their lives On the battlefield to fight and protect Our freedom. Now they gaze at me With sad eyes that plead... "Help me! Help me! Help me!" Out in the cold, mean streets, With no place to call home. It saddens me... The normalization of conspiracy theories. Folks who choose to remain Close-minded blissfully lounging In fool's paradise. Doubtful of The propaganda they constantly feed on, Yet afraid to go against the grain, Lest they incur the wrath of their clique. They finally see the light when tragedy Hits close to home; expressing Deep regret much too late. It saddens me... That Washington politicians show no Interest in bridging the widening gulf Between them. Civility is long gone. Policies are stalled due to "us-against-them" State of affairs. Democrats and Republicans Are endlessly at loggerheads. There's even A mutiny within the Democratic party. And who pays the price for this stalemate? We the American people! It's a doggone shame. It saddens me... The daily diet of news. I turn on the TV Each morning, and it is saturated with more negative news than ever. Negative, negative; nowadays you watch The news soon itching to turn it off. It's the same old news about spiking Gun violence, hate crimes, xenophobia, Police brutality. This is the new normal. Boy, do I miss the good old days! The world has really gone to the dogs It saddens me. Date written: 10/15/2021