Mouths Wide, Minds Hollow

They sit in rows, their eyes aglow,

Bathed in the blue electric show.

Each word a gospel from the screen,

Each image polished, sharp, and clean.

The anchor speaks with perfect grace,

A solemn mask, a saintly face.

No questions rise, no doubts take hold,

The truth, it seems, is bought and sold.

No time to ask, no time to learn,

Just grab the sign, it’s your turn.

They flood the streets, a roaring sea,

“A threat to democracy, a fascist, a nazi!”

They scream and fight,

And see the world in black and white.

No one asks, “What lies behind?”

No room for nuance in their mind.

So onward march the faithful crew,

Chasing the script they think is true.

While puppeteers behind the scenes

Conspire with well-rehearsed routines.

For those who believe and obey,

And never look the other way,

They wear their shackles like a crown,

And cheer the ones who drag them down.