Travelling Hopefully

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._N._Taber

Are the freedoms we enjoy being gradually eroded by invisible (and visible) Mandarins or Kingpins of Power?

Wealth is power, yes, but so is  influence and many who put themselves forward as our so-called ‘betters’ have plenty of that across the entire  socio-cultural-religious and political arenas  in which we live.

Free speech, yes, so long as it is not considered politically incorrect and that seems to be decided these days by which side of a particular divide one happens to be.

I am no racist. Neither, though, will I hesitate to speak out against bad attitude or behaviour no matter what colour, creed, sex or sexuality a person may be. Yet, the chances are – as has happened more than once – that I will be called a racist, feminist, bigot (for not subscribing to a religion) etc. etc. I am none of these things, and it goes against the grain not to speak out against someone whose behaviour I find offensive simply whatever their colour, creed, sex sexuality or political persuasion and, yes, even age. (My own generation can be a real pain in the proverbial at times.). Even so, I have to confess to having kept my feelings to myself more often than not in recent years simply to avoid the inevitable hassle. Is that common sense, I wonder, or simply cowardice?

Feedback over years of writing poetry and publishing much of it on the Internet suggests that many people from diverse backgrounds feel much the same way, that there are times when we are made to feel like puppets, poised to speak our minds until a jerk on invisible strings by some kingpin puppeteer advises if not demands our silence or, at best, extreme (diplomatic) caution…or there will be a price to pay.

I will be 72 this year, and I am becoming less and less enamoured with the world as it is now with each passing day. At the same time, I retain a basic faith in human nature, convinced that if we all try and do our best in our own little corner of the world, the ripples will spread to the extent that  it may yet become a better, kinder place no matter what goes on in its  socio-cultural-religious and political arenas.

There are more good people in the world than bad, people for whom peace and love are more, far more, than just rhetoric; it has always been that way, and always will be. Sadly, it has always been the more malevolent Kingpins of Power that, in getting away far too often with pulling our strings, continue to make their presence felt and voices heard.

So will tomorrow be a better day, give brave new worlds an opportunity to flourish? Hope springs eternal... (Yes, sometimes it may be well better to travel hopefully than arrive, and be disappointed, but can anything come even close to comparing with the joy of arrival when he/she/it means the fulfillment of our sweetest dreams...?)

TRAVELLING HOPEFULLY 

Yesterday, a dark mood

descending into a recent grave

created by fall-out

from crises (local and worldwide);

even near comprehension,

of mind- body-spirit all but broken

by political forces alien

to free thinkers everywhere left

ploughing moral high ground,

slaves to this or that philosophy,

whatever cap fits…

Slaves, yes, bound to rebel

against those siding with kingpins

of wealth and power jockeying

(discreetly) for a prime position

in the greater  influence stakes,

claiming to have the best interests

of common humanity at heart

(local and worldwide) while nursing

such personal ambitions as likely

to go down as well with the media

as raising taxes

Today, no lighter mood,

rising among the ghosts of leaders

past and present to remind

those of us (local and worldwide)

why we helped put them there

(if only by default, considering

the alternatives on offer)

no matter gossip buzzing like flies

in corridors of power

about which  kingpins  plotting

whose downfall…

Kingpins of power, yes!

Always ready to load our excuses

on their backs under a cloak

of invisibility to avoid pricking

consciences of crusaders

(local and worldwide) for a way

of life less complicated

by a sense of kingpins composing

the poetry and prose

of destiny on our behalf, and we

having little say

Tomorrow, we will nurture

a more positive mood, rise above

rise above dark thoughts

about any Kingpins of Power

undermining us

at every step we take as we journey

through life…

reassert a native self-confidence,

an enduring spirituality

taken from natures, religion, either

of both (free to choose)

Free to choose, yes,

whether to have faith in ourselves,

(conceding any flaws)

and keep to a learning curve of love,

personal aspiration,

private ambition, social responsibility,

discerning wood and trees,

drawing in the best of whatsoever

and whomsoever

we may find, as we seek completeness,

journeying hopefully

Hopefully, yes, humankind

and nature working together to play

any Kingpins of Power

at their own game, introducing  mind,.

body, and spirit,

working in harmony, all the better

to see light triumph

over darkness, good over evils no one

can deny exist,

a legacy of enduring peace and love,

no end-game in sight

Copyright R. N. Taber 2017