"Normal?"

Slumbering sunlit suburb;

silent streets, June’s heat,

schools shut, summer days

summoning vacation.

Simulating independence;

so it is, so it will always be.

Our house, neat yard,

our safe street, our grill

our place to call our own.

Our constant headache,

paying for the privilege;

so it is, so it will always be.

Lives defined by what we do,

lives decided by bottom line,

lives lived in debtor’s chains,

lives enforced by economy’s rules.

No choice other than compliance;

so it is, so it will always be.

What are we here for?

Why do we labor day by day

while all we build time strips away?

Why do those we elect

work for the wealthy?

So it is, why should it always be?

Taught to fear the other

they will steal our scrap;

Taught to love the billionaire

their prosperity will trickle down;

Taught this is life’s meaning

so it is, why should it always be?

Can we imagine another way?

Can we share earth’s bounty equally?

Can we build a table for all?

Can we take pride in diversity?

can we discover our true identity?

One people, abundantly free.

© Phil Kemp 2025