The Great Divide

The Great Divide

 

The anger rises up in me and then I feel ashamed

Fearful for the future and hopeful all the same

This dichotomy of feelings is giving me a ride

‘Why can’t we just all get along?’ I so naively chide.

 

The anger swells from history, not a mere fifty years it’s been

When racial tensions, distrust, and conflict were so commonly seen

Assassinations of Kennedy and King had us reeling with despair

And riots, assault and murder were seemingly everywhere.

 

It’s 1968 – the seas of violence and political turbulence scar

Electing a new president amidst the controversy of civil rights and war

Labels divide, ideas collide

Damn, our pride.

 

Today the names have changed, but the story remains old

Opinions flood social media sites – our public black mold

Arguments ensue on the TV networks each night

Negativity contaminates like a virus – it’s rampant and it’s ripe.

 

Sadly, the anger, hurt and divide

Whether outwardly expressed or bottled up inside

Didn’t start with the present conditions or even in ‘68

For as long as humans have existed, we’ve been sowing seeds of hate.

 

History repeats until we get it righted.

History repeats until we stop being so short-sighted.

Labels divide, ideas collide

Damn, our pride.

 

What will it take to get us United?