With Their Own Hands

Read enough news about national deficits, 
the environment, increases in suicide, 
it's fair to say our elders have lost their grip on Empire Building. 
Sustaining hope for the return of Christ is 
either key, now, or it's wisest to do away with 
the charity and chastity that routinely ends in grief. 

I used to give the average man some benefit 
of the doubt, held my breath hoping 
he'd do better than amassing platitudes 
and worldly ambivalence 
like so many baseball statistics.... 

No more. Let them etch out their epitaphs 
with their own hands. 
Let their children inherit a 9-to-5 landscape 
of sore legs and hollow dreams. 
Shoot their Camels, burn down their houses, 
and wish their children and their widows godspeed. 

Their charade of dignity won't be missed. 

****