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Jump On Johnny

A wagon full of them 
happened to pass by mine 
at dawn
Their voices raised as one
attuned to match the demands 
of the current social trends 
"Jump on Johnny jump on"
they beckoned invitingly at me 
A very different tune to their staple
"Go home Johnny just go back where you came from"
Taken aback as I was, I reckoned 
such a chance could come handy 
in time
Sure beats the "crawl under that rock
Johnny play dead for now"
"Just while the flights are cancelled 
at least"
So I quickly jumped on that bandwagon 
without a second thought, 
that's what I did 
Went along for the ride and pledged 
my loyalty to them on that day
Out on some patriotic duty
or so, that's the claim they made
A joint noble cause, I figured
could make a fertile ground 
to sow the seed of a much needed 
united front
It sure felt good to be included 
for a little while 
Until their strongman deemed it 
the perfect time to gorge my eyes out, 
much to my utter dismay 
He swore it was proof of dedication 
Anything to fit in, I thought to myself 
But I soon found out thinking 
wasn't allowed either
There was a ready made agenda 
to be followed by all of us, in place 
Worded just right to fit its purpose 
All we had to do was regurgitate it 
over and over on demand 
Till it turned into our only truth 
And to be sure to spread it about 
Anyone who disagreed with it 
was bound to be a traitor of sorts
It was the way of the order 
or the highway
To make the cut all you had to do 
was strap on a pair of blinkers 
"Rest your sights on the insides of 
the glorious tunnel, to reset your view
Then all will be well with you!"
That was our slogan by the way
Rather catchy don't you think?
Unfortunately my conscience 
wouldn't have any of it
Being brainwashed somehow 
failed to catch its fancy 
I soon found myself longing for the old songs 
"Crawl under that rock Johnny play dead for now"
"At least until the flights are back on air"
Then it will be "go home Johnny! 
just go back where you came from"
Fitting in, for sure carried a price tag
too heavy for my pocket

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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