Political Poem

It seems our world has been brought to halt;

for we'd rather fight among ourselves

than solve problems that have been here for centuries.

We'd rather be divided,

than united

as one

At each other's throats.

throwing slurs and words like knives.

If you grow up in a conservative community,

people will be stuned

when you say you're pro-choice,

and when you try to explain,

"it's nobody's business other than the woman's"

they turn away with scorn, or worse,

they mock you.

Likewise is true if you are raised among liberals.

You say that gun control is silly,

"guns don't kill people. People kill people."

and suddenly they're up in arms.

(Arms here not meaning the guns -- 

for they would never mean the guns)

In each case, the other side makes their nasty

inhumane comments.

really?

Since when does having my opinions make me

a bad person?

Since when does having a middle ground make me

the slurs that you call me?

I consider myself a moderate;

though, it seems the world is at odds with that.

They want me to pick a side,

or else I'm the enemy of them all.

I don't want to pick a side.

Or, rather, their side.

I want to be on my side.

I want to have my opinions.

I want calm, civil discussion of politics.

Is that too much to ask?

Reviews

[Lavi]

Reminds me when people ask me what my 'side' is and when I say 'just me' their response (if they have one before I manage to divert their attention) is: "Oh so you're liberal?" and from those that aren't saying that either pronounce themselves liberal to me or give me a pep talk on why I should be on their side...
Hoping the other countries aren't like the US

[elle_c]

You really capture the division between groups. I consider myself a moderate, too. Your poem reminded me of the song from NOTHING MORE- Go to War. Specifically the line "Screaming at the ones we love, like we forget who we can trust." We are all in this together. :)

[John the Baptist]

Being a moderate myself, I understand your point fully. However, look at the bright side. When you're a centrist you can shoot in a circle and never hit a friend.