THE CENTURY

Living through the past century and comparing the differences between it and this one is breath taking at times. Yet life is always about changes.

How ironic
that fire will burn on ice
in a melodramatic
century full of fury
where every little boy seeks for big guns
In their quest for fun.
Those kids aren't interested in toys anymore
They're wearing dreadlocks, and
designing their skin with tattoos and
adding Gmails to their Yahoos.

Morality is up in smoke.
Gone...like the wind.
U.N. legislation empowers the sales of coke and
Microsoft has its own mint.
Democracy is under reconstruction and
all countries are now governed by big corporations.
Public opinion rules like the hammer of Thor.
Brutality of the majority rocks.
Black is white if the crowd says so
God help you if you won't bow.

Reviews

[DIVYA]

A very striking and hard hitting poem. This one is for all the thinking readers here. Indeed, I'd love to go back another century and think of when monarchy prevailed and now in the 21st century, countries are ruled by Corporations. Who says emperors and empires have vanished? The new age business tycoons with their conglomerates are nothing less than the greatest kings now. Their battles are now fought in corporate boardrooms with mergers, takeovers and acquisitions.

Similarly, you mentioned the rule of public, like the hammer of Thor! I love this! Social media is the new "Burn Witch". People can be destroyed and stars can be created globally now, in a matter of sheer hours. The kind of fame and recognition that took people years to achieve is now possible in days!

And the kids! Oh the kids! Google and Yahoo are there masters and their true teachers. Schools and the current system of pedagogy is passe and obsolete. They roam in the wilderness of the world web.

Indeed, this is the new age and the new world one must brave now. What more, the changes are now happening in geometrical progression so what is today will no longer be tomorrow. Thank you so much for this amazing poem Akinlolu. I enjoyed it absolutely!

[Akinlolu]

I couldn't believe this poem generated an epistle like this! But I'm glad. In a nutshell, I couldn't have said it better than this. A heartfelt thank you from Akinlolu.

[DIVYA]

You're most welcome Akinlolu. It was such a pleasure to read and think on this poem!

[Andrew John]

I find this such a generator of thought, feeling. A great poem to read (done it three times, but will go back to it once I've submitted this comment).

[Akinlolu]

Thanks for your review. I'm glad my poem had such kind of impact.

[Betty Hermelee]

Indeed many countries are governed by big corporations...my son just retired from Microsoft, like a country in itself....so many layers of authority..and you're just a cog in a wheel....and the majority which looks like white supremacists is all over harassing people in government and elsewhere....tattoos are in, hate language is in... social media is in.....and the world is going crazy....when will this torture end???? Very powerful read! Thank you for sharing
Best, B

[Akinlolu]

It's an unending cycle. Big Brother isn't just a fictional character or the face of entertainment anymore. There are layers upon layers of this terrible disease. Here in Africa, we have intolerant government s that try to swallow every aspect of people's existence. If you aren't a psychophant, you're finished. The problem is national and global and economic and religious in scope. How on earth is it going to ever stop? Probably when human nature changes. Thanks for your review

[Betty Hermelee]

I understand the plight of many Africans...
You're very welcome
Best, B