I was playing on the playground
As kids so often do.
We were acting “Grown-Ups;”
I was the guy from the news.
I straightened out my papers
And flashed a smile so swell,
Proclaiming calmly to the camera:
“Earth is goin’ to Hell.”
“Whaddya mean?” inquired Sucy,
“How is that even possible?
Earth and Hell are different places –
Are you some kind of fool?
Sure, that global warming crisis
Makes our climate hot as hell –
But what sort of sign is that if
The adults are still too lost to tell?”
Lionel scoffed, “I do not think
You’ve understood his gist.
He’s just repeating what news anchors say
When referring to terrorists.
Religion corrupts the human mind,
As the smartest scientists say.
Come on, wouldn’t life be more peaceful
If it was pointless anyway?”
“I don’t believe you, silly head!”
Cried frail, sweet May MacKay.
“For then all murderers and rapists
Would be considered A-Okay.
If life is just as meaningless
As hopeless haters would have us believe,
Why do our thoughts of suicide
Incite such harsh reprieve?”
“Blame the Republicans and their tax code!”
Accused the wildly woke Bill Carter.
“Their regressive restrictions
Make American happiness harder!”
“The Democrats are one to talk,”
Sneered George Lincoln sardonically.
“Abortion, Socialism, faulty healthcare
Insult all our liberties.”
My playground friends disputed
Until an all-out war was raised;
Fists were flying, women crying,
While I watched on, unfazed.
Our teacher clasped me on the shoulder,
“Young man, no need to fret.
Our darling Earth may be going to Hell,
But you ain’t seen nothing yet!”
Morning's Early Dark 