Silent Observer by Mark Spencer

Pacifists think they know the path,
For achieving world peace.
The say if most were pacifists,
The world's wars would cease.

But what of class separation,
And aristocracies?
What of positions of power,
And such bureaucracies?

Think of the rich and powerful.
What will become of these?
Won't they do what they've always done,
Exactly as they please?

Won't they legislate our freedoms,
The way they do today?
Won't money have the loudest voice,
When there's something to say?

Won't hospitals let people die,
When they are uninsured?
Aren't those who have the means to pay,
Going to be preferred?

Won't oil companies still have,
The means to bleed us dry?
Won't pacifists just take it all,
Observing while they cry?

But wait! Is this not how it's been,
For nigh these many years?
Have we not just passively watched,
Through an ocean of tears?

Aren't we silent observers,
This vast majority?
Don't we just passively accept,
The king's authority?

We're a docile society,
We observe...and ignore.
As we pretend to know the way,
The world remains at war.

For those who oil the war machine,
Have power over you.
A power you have given them,
That silence can't undo.

Your passive world has been achieved,
Most people just observe.
For those who won't fight for their cause,
Will get what they deserve.

The handful who now wield the power,
Won't quietly give in.
There are no profits made through peace,
No power without sin.

The passive do not get involved,
Others guide their fate.
But if you wish to change the world,
You must participate.

For voices heard by every ear,
Resonate with fervor.
They're not the muffled whimpers of
The silent observer.

Colin the Student (69.157.1.74) -- Thursday, December 17 2009, 11:40 am

you always.....
you always teach me Mr. Spencer. I listen (read) and learn!!!! Your words have the power to do so.

Puppet (69.181.45.166) -- Saturday, December 19 2009, 12:24 am

superbly didactic
Your poems tend to expertly confront serious issues, and here is another great example! From an editorial perspective, you might want to tighten meter count of the lines (to make them more rhythmic), but that really is subordinate to the subject of your poems. I liked this!

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