Held firmly in a vice we felt we couldn’t move

With no freedom, locked within a world of lies.

While sheltered from the truth we didn't stand a chance

And yet the truth still danced before our eyes.

Imprisoned in a world that we have created,

where our hopes and dreams and wishes can all be confiscated,

where we can plunge into depression from being elated,

with the clarity of truth before our eyes.

Having to act only on what we really know

Without knowing to start thinking.

Just enough to know that troubled waters lie ahead,

But not enough to know how to stop sinking –

Sinking to the depths of shedding blood without a qualm,

Thinking that by hurting others we won’t suffer harm.

Only in our anger do we learn how to stay calm,

With the clarity of truth before our eyes.

Short-lived in our memories: the triumphs of the past –

And now taken for granted and forgotten.

Once our inspiration for yet greater things beyond;

Now all they seem to do is spoil us rotten.

Rotten to the core if we had eyes to see the truth.

But our eyes are blinded by the arrogance of youth.

Dying by the code of “eye for eye and tooth for tooth.”

With the clarity of truth before our eyes.

The have-nots plead to tell us that we must share the earth,

Although we act as if we own it still.

We feast upon the fruits and then forget the growers.

We gorge ourselves beyond a healthy fill.

Living off the rest and basking in reflected glory.

Living out the myth that we authors of our story.

Then facing every setback with a puerile rage and fury.

With the clarity of truth before our eyes.

Fits of hysterics sweep over me now

as I watch the sheep who call themselves “dissenters.”

Still reaching for my friends I stand one against the crowd

As I break the chains that bind me to my mentors.

Imprisoned in a job or on a cold bench in the park,

Or a mud-hut, or a ghetto or a cellar in the dark –

For those without a hope in life the truth is in a spark.

With the clarity of truth before our eyes.