STAMPEDE

If I could write it in a phrase

of people fighting for the land

that nurtured them from birth

and those before and after,

some call it foolish

but the true word is brave

to fight for nature’s freedom

is a true act of courage,

a natural response

to protect a mother.

There are hard times ahead

with wilful destruction

and denial

of earth, peace and truth,

until all that is left

will crumble and fall.

Pride is a currency

that thrives in inflation,

except by natural law

all pride deflates

until it falls

and all it’s built

comes tumbling down.

Where are the heroes,

the writers, the leaders

who coined the phrase

to make us think

that what we do

will be measured

by what we do to others

and by what we wish

they do to us?

Darkness encroaches

as a light, once bright,

is dimmed by shame

and narrow-mindedness.

Doors, once open,

slam shut,

the huddled masses shiver

in the shadow of the walls

where once was

a beacon of freedom,

an aspiration,

in a thrice becomes a chimera

an empty shell,

a cowering effigy;

its enemies delight and dance,

rejoice and celebrate

while hope and truth

are trampled

in the stampede

of hate.