Sir, why are you sleeping?

Thieves have entered our homes. Thieves who came under the cover of darkness. They have come to take from us all we hold dear, as they move from house to house. But they did not kill the watch dogs, they did break in the windows, they did not climb the walls, they did not pick the locks.
A long time ago they moved here and everyday as your children walked to school they greeted them with treats and listened to their worries along the way. They whispered lies and your children listened. They convinced them you didn't care, you didn't understand them, you were to out of touch. "They don't know how you feel" they said. "They think you can't make you own decisions" they said.
All the while you just checked they letters on the report cards, "sure you can dress like a tramp honey, just don't do any of the really bad drugs." Have another Vicodin dad, wash it down with a new car a 42 inch plasma. "just don't bother me while the game is on ok kids." Sure you can stay out as late as you want, watch what you want, spend time with who you want, say what you want, buy what you want, drink what you want.
Wolves have entered our homes, and we have let them in. A simple disguise was all it took.
Where are the lookouts, why aren't there bells sounding and tourches being lit, why arent the gates closing, doors locking and arms being drawn to protect what matters most, our way of life.

When we awake, this place will be as a forien land and we will be lost in it.

Ashes to ashes we all fall down.

Trillions upon Trillions.
AIG. CityGroup. GM. Chrysler. Down 401ks. Down GDP. Down Dow Jones. Down S&P 500. TARP 1. TARP2. On and on....
These are not problems, these are symptoms of one problem.
How about, sub-prime mortgages, toxic assets?. Corporate greed?
Still not there yet. What is the root cause. What is the "why"?
Unfortunately it starts long before all this.
In its most raw form, it is greed of the people. At its most innocent, ignorance. It is the idea that we can purchase something without full payment (credit) and in doing so, own more things we do not need. But this has consumed and overwhelmed the nation.
That is the sickness from which America now suffers. We know this because we can directly trace all of these symptoms to the issue of dept. The current financial "crisis" is simply the fruition of our moral failing.

Won't you let me grow (III)

I am old now and you have long since passed away. Don't worry though. I haven't changed the house. Everything is just the way you left it. I never moved to the city for that job I wanted. I broke of my engagement with that girl you didn't like, she hasn't been back here since. Oh and I never went to that church my friends invited me to. I am so glad you taught me all the things I shouldn't do. Although, I must admit, it does get a little lonely around here every no and then.

I think I will go for a walk to ease my mind. Past the garden and into the woods where the tall trees grow. Down by the riverbank where I once fell. It seems like lifetimes ago now. The air is so clean here, the breeze is cool on my face. I can't remember the last time I heard the birds or saw the glistening dew on the fallen leaves. There are the same slick rocks I feel on as a child. Now that I am old I am more frail than even then. Again I fell.
The water is so cold, I never knew. The current so strong, I never knew.
How do I stop! How do I breath. I can feel the water filling my lungs, my strength failing. Why, Why didn't you teach me how to swim. You were supposed to protect me. You were supposed to let me grow, but I haven't grown at all, I have simply aged. You didn't tell me you were going to leave. I am drowning.
I am drowning now, because you never let me swim.

Won't you let me grow? (II)

You never let me play by the river after that day. You never swim or climb. You wouldn't let me go riding with the others or go camping in the woods. You wouldn't let me ride the bus or stay after school to play games. It was always too hot to go outside or too cold, too wet. When my friends would come over we had to stay inside and stare at a screen. Soon they stopped coming and just watched them from the window.

The moon has grown older now and looks cold and distant.
That man who used to take me to the park hasn't been here in such a long time. I remember how he made you smile. I remember he wanted me to have a brother and sister. I remember how you fought. I knew how sad you felt. I could see it in your eyes. So I decided to stay with you, I stopped asking to go explore the world and eventually, the desire faded.

Won't you let me grow?

I am a child. I am fragile. I am delicate. I am cold. I am hungry. I am afraid and I am innocent. My world is simple. It does not know me and I do not know you. But something about you makes me feel safe. Will you help me grow?
Will you make me strong? will you shelter me? will you keep me warm? will you feed me? will you protect me and guide me into this world?

The moon has grown old many times and now I stand on my own. I explore all that I can. Where the trees grow tall by the riverbank with you always close by.
Do you remember the time I slipped and fell, the rocks cut open my skin. I saw a look in your eyes then I had never seen before. A kind of fear. That was the day that everything changed.

You Poor Thing

See the morning dew, how it touches all the earth. Smell the wood fires burning as the villagers begin the day. Hear the laughter of the children, playing in the sunlight. Taste the bread the women are breaking. In the distance boats can be seen, skimming atop the waves. Men sit with dulled swords and broken shields, mourning those left behind. Giving thanks for those still alive. They have protected use again in some far off land. Fighting those who do use harm whenever they can. Greeted at the docks with out stretched arms there are always hidden scowls.
"You poor thing, you who were deceived into fighting for some unjust cause by a king who fills only his coffers. You pitiful thing thing"
No sir, you poor and wretched soul who pity's the fathers, sons and husbands.
You vile creature who looks so lowly on the braves whose blood stains red the sands of freedoms golden shore. It is you who knows no just cause.

Critical Mass

We cannot continue at this pace. The more modern society advances the less time we have. Luxury technologies have increased individualism.
People no longer know each other.
Interactions are too brief, too impersonal.
True understanding has been lost.
Humans, though many try, no longer relate to each other. At least not with the respect God intended. Our leaders do not know our people, the ones that do, do not represent them only them selves.
Like a child who will not share food in spite of others hunger unless taught to.
We are moving at break neck speed now.
To what I cannot see yet.
But I feel it, looming in the distance, like the blackness of night, forgotten by those who bask in the sunlight.
The rising cost of apathy and self indulgence is a dept that will soon be called up.