John J. Senchak - The Fix

We stand and stare in silence, wondering what went wrong
We stand and shout with vehemence, insightful all along
We deflect responsibility, our heads deep in the sand
We decry the past with clarity, yet fail to take a stand
Hands shoved deep in pockets, chins upon our chests
Hands that flail wildly, as boisterous as the rest
Those hands that built this haven that’s balanced on the brink
Now wring those hands with worry, what the world may think
We surrender our traditions, our footfalls soft and light
Our strength is challenged only by this cruel internal fight
Apologizing constantly for being who we are
Embarrassed by these injuries, our self-inflicted scars
One hand decries the other, as the anger swells
We shrink, humiliated, critical of ourselves
The left hand hates its partner, yet hates itself as much
The right hand, strong and noble, remains quite out of touch
No longer meet in harmony, the distance far too great
Yet neither can identify the cause for failed debate
So one will cast aspersions, the other lob them back
All the while attesting strength that the other lacks
Yet neither wants to compromise, neither giving ground
Neither wants concessions, neither backing down
How can we stop this cruelty, this war of words and deeds
And grant our homeland unity, it so badly needs
Does light still shine within us, despite our pious tone
Can we find it in our hearts to reclaim our noble home
Or is collapse and ruin, the price we have to pay
Before we recognize our plight, and simply fade away
Is freedom too much liberty, for humans to endure
Will honor, faith, and dignity, see us through this war
Must we be oppressed again, lose our hard-fought rights
Before we learn it’s not America that we have to fight

John J. Senchak

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