21st Century Life Lessons

We’re taught to think being confused is sinning

Instead of what it is—the starting line

Where every question about what we’re winning

Reveals the race’s sponsor and design.

We’re taught that we were born to be productive

So that we will not question why we work

Or who it profits, or how self-destructive

It is to cling to dreams and die a clerk.

We’re taught that we all have a chance to win

As long as we commit to play a game

That profiles every player by their skin

While preaching that inside we’re all the same.

And when we’re stained by all that’s foul, we’re taught

To lap it up and overlook the rot.

Copyright 2016 Matthew J Wells