Unbalanced News, Fearful Views

The headlines scream, a crimson urgent hue, A daily diet, filtered, skewed, untrue. The scales are tipped, the narrative defined By angles chosen, leaving truth behind. A single story amplified and vast, Obscures the nuances that forever last. The quiet triumphs, acts of gentle grace, Are drowned out by the chaos of this place The media paints, a world perpetually frayed, Where shadows lengthen and all hope decayed. We scroll and click, absorbing every fear, A constant current whispering in our ear Of dangers lurking, enemies unseen, A landscape painted bitter, harsh, and mean. Our minds, once open to a wider scope, Now narrow tunnels, clinging tight to hope That someone, somewhere, holds a steady light, Amidst the darkness of this endless night Of fearful views, projected, bold, and stark, Leaving its imprint on our fragile ark Of understanding, empathy, and trust, Reduced to rubble, crumbling into dust. The algorithm feeds the anxious plea, Confirming biases, setting spirits free To rage and point, to cast the judging stone, For nuance falters when fear claims its throne. The "other side," a caricature defined, No shared humanity for us to find. But what is lost within this frantic chase For clicks and outrage, leaving not a trace Of balanced insight, thoughtful, calm, and deep? The seeds of discord that we sow and keep Will blossom bitter fruit, a fractured whole, Where common ground becomes a distant goal. The fearful views, like shadows on the wall, Distort the shapes, making us fear them all. The rustling leaves become a hidden threat, The stranger's gaze, a judgment we have met Before in headlines, painting them as foe, Preventing kindness, hindering its flow. Is there a way to step outside the frame, To douse the flames of this consuming game? To seek the balance, hear the softer tone, And recognize the seeds of good that's sown Alongside the darkness in this complex world, Where fearful views too often are unfurled? To cultivate a critical, discerning eye, To question motives as the stories fly, To seek the spectrum not just black and white, And find the courage to embrace the light That struggles bravely through the fear-filled haze, Before unbalanced news consumes our days. ©bfa041325