mediocrity equals death

for all the talk of
free expression
and the liberation
of the artistic soul
is it not clear
there's very little
creative fire
that really surfaces
or takes root
or inspires?

we're being droned out 24/7
by the pundits
and
unsocial media
with talking points
kept within
predictable restraints
     like the straightjacket
     or a starched white shirt

even the words
freedom
peace
justice
that so permeate our texts
are losing all practical applications
wars continue
prisons fill
most politicians
return their contributions
with custom legislation
for their captors

so far
the great upheaval
has passed us by
the lid stays on the soup kettle
opening occasionally
to dole out a piecemeal
of disappointment
(so let's start a new facebook page)

it's true that
the words and music and colors
that can ignite a generation
still kindle
in the darkness
     every once in a while
          there's a new spark
but nothing burns
every facade and border and prediction
or goes wildly
     all out
     way down the road
          like a chuck berry song

--- e b bortz

(published in opednews.com, Jan 20, 2013)