They win
When we stop
Making art
And give into fear
And work as slaves
To add to their
Overflowing coffers
They win
When we embrace
Their commercialism
With our consumerism
Gorging ourselves
With junk and stuff
Burying us in debt
They win
When we don’t fight
For a clean environment
Allowing them to
Destroy our Earth
Pollute, poison
And drill baby drill
They win
If we won’t recognize
Their lack of conscience
Lack of compassion
Lack of integrity
As criminality
And don’t ostracize them
They win
If they can lie
And call it “alternative facts”
And our compass wavers
Away from true North
And we follow their words
Wherever they lead
They win
When we keep silent
Like good boys and girls
Well trained
To not air dirty laundry
For the world to see
Our lips are zipped
They win
If we don’t dream
And strive for a better world
Free healthcare
Affordable housing
And get big money
Out of politics
They win
If we forget
To notice the wonder
Of Mother nature
And feel gratitude
For Her gifts
Throughout the day
They win
If we don’t rage
Like a volcano
And quake like the Earth
And flood with tears
At their cruelty and violence
And lack of decent humanity
They win
If they breach
Our societal agreement
–Our Constitution
Or spiritual sovereignty
–Our human dignity
And it goes unpunished
They win
But really they lose
For love can’t live
In a heart that yearns
For power and money
And where love lives
Joy follows
03112026bjb
barb j beyers 