In this cacophony which is modernity
individuality is the first casualty
where single souls are rendered soundless
where those who shout the loudest
get attention, even though albeit
so much of suckcess is undeserved;
where pandering to sensationalism
to sell things to the silenced hordes
who sit couch-ward
yearning that they too can grab a megaphone
and yell, I am alive; I count;
but counting these days is being on television
being noticed;
if not they all settle
for face book
and twittering
at least this is being known to those close to them each telling the other
they matter
but the aching gnarl
persists among us mass media-ed
"how can my scribblings on the graffiti wall
be noticed among the millions of scratchings there?
Yet taking me down and back to the small town
seems to be accepting defeat
and being rendered tiny small."

Millions of the young are all taught they each and every one
can be president
yet we all know that isn't true ;
millions of the young are told
that each and every one
can and will be rich,
yet we all know that isn't true ;

as millions of the young are told
that through the competition sieve
the last to stand will be crowned champion
but champion of what
if all around
are defeated and resentful
labeled less than champion
and maybe even less than human.

Such societies have no sanity or sane premise
and soon face the upheaval
of the many who shout in unison
"I am somebody
I matter.
I am somebody
I matter."
And then in the face of this
Failed Modernity
society offers only Stony Silence.