POETRY: ‘The merry-go-round’
Contributed by: Ryan Hughes, psychology major
“Seek not the favor of the multitude. It is seldom got by honest and lawful means. But seek the testimony of the few. And number not voices, but weigh them.” -Kant-
“People demand freedom of speech to make up for freedom of thought which they avoid.” –Kierkegaard-
“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” -Nietzsche
Let’s go
round and round
The merry-go-round…
Let’s go round and round
The merry-go-round…
In the realm
of the multitude
A vicious trap
exists
It is called
the merry-go-round.
It is a box
where thought
is sadly locked.
You can see it
on the screen.
You can see it
in between.
You can also see
it in the unscene.
It holds each and
Every one of us
In its bright red lips
And in its artificially
fresh breath.
The thought police
are on patrol
In the inner space
of externally motivated
thought control.
The catch-phrases
of the day
take us on a twirl
for a merry, and fun,
little whirl.
They dance us away
from what should be sought,
which is the constant struggle
for freedom of thought.
You think you
can escape?
Try looking at
your own locked box
in your own realm
of thought cliche.
Because it exists
in all of us.
Each in its own way…
Seize the day! Right?
If you want to escape,
turn your ear
to the few
with the vast view
And try to hear
their tune
Howsoever measured
and far away.
They have managed to
Somewhat unlock
This sad merry-go-round box.
Their perceptions
Will often be seen
As rather unseemly.
But do not hesitate
To accept confusion,
For it is there
To break your illusions.
They have freed themselves
And finally tackled
Their mind-forged manacles.
And once being free,
They have thrown these shackles
Into the wind
where, for one such man,
Once again, they are
Put in their proper place,
Fading into the shadows.
The battle may not be easy.
But in the end,
It surely does pay
For as I must say:
Response ability of thought
must ask freedom of speech:
“Would you like to go on a blind date with an unfolding ugly little truth? Or remain in the relationship dating an obnoxious static big bore of a lie?”
