
Poem: Last of a Dying Breed

Last of a Dying Breed
By J.D. Kellner
Shall no one attend the funeral of the death of change?
Septic shock to our social system brought us to our knees
To some an absent God and to others a people run wild
Will you not come and sew our burial shroud?
Anarchy slipped sorrow laden boots upon civility.
Stoicism shrugged from the shoulders of men, a benefit to all
Replaced with a feathered promise of peace and equality
Cut down by resent and broken arrows
Has the world changed hands for the better?
A youthful urging to want and love our world.
Years of toil from our forefathers
A heavy yoke upon our backs.
Are we the last of a dying breed?
Toxic words, toxic actions, toxic idleness
As with all actions cannot be undone, but forgiveness is toxic
Would you dare associate with one of us?
I carry the shovel of the knight’s true purpose
To dig the grave of idealism’s past
When once we walked side to side, meaning astride meaning
Step over step no man left ahead of the pack
Past dictated who saw the light and who endured the darkness
Patriarchal, matriarchal are constructs embraced by only those who allow it
Thrust away by a thirst for optimism
Chopped asunder by the corporate caste
Shall we not eat at the same table?
Are we the last of a dying breed?
Kingdom here or Kingdom come?
We want it all for all, but none for some
Our keepers are chained to the floor for crimes of resumption
To walk free and clear of our former burdens
Choke and swallow the hazing of social norms
Breath easy once, but never twice
Take your burdens and live with them!
The social ladder with broken rungs is a trap set for you
Can we not want without fear?
They say to reach for the stars if you want to see the sun
Beware the plummet back to earth for the ground is not forgiving
Will the hands be there to catch before the crash?
We are the last of a dying breed