The two arguments to the human spirit,
Were conceived by long-dead white men.
Arguing about monarchism.
(Whether they could agree on why to have a king or not.)
Hobbes based his arguments on the nature of man as brutish, savage, and devoid of better nature, steeped in the darkened language of sin.
Locke spoke to that better nature of us as orderly and aware, that we knew our actions as brutes have consequences.
At least according to words written down in dusty forgotten tomes.
Silence follows.
It echoes throughout the ages and questions us even now.
Like a dog tearing at our heels.
Are we brutes?
Scything flesh like golden wheat?
Devouring our kin with reckless abandon for our sustenance?
Does the hierarchy truly reflect our animal nature?
Or are we better?
Can we be better?
Rise above what was once our destiny and flashing fangs in daring smiles that sparkle in the sunlight.
I am both.
We are both.
Bone-dry eyes hammer tattoo-punch-drunk lover wiles,
As we grieve for the loss of community.
So.
Drop the pretense.
Become the animal.
For they are only as noble as their station.
The rich think themselves as modern-day kings and queens,
Ruling the masses as might a triumvirate!
They do not see,
I seek to save them from their own folly.
Beg them to come to senses, shaking viciously by the shoulders.
Please wake up.
Please wake up.
They are coming with guillotines if you do not.
And I wish the path of non-violence if that is what change can look like.
And yet the longer things stay the same,
The more I linger at the edge of the infinite reflecting pool,
Throwing coinage at my mirror.
Wake up.
You fools, wake up!
There can be a way for us all to win.
Where you are not stripped of all,
And get to walk away with your life!
I stand before the waters,
Shaking my head in mournful heedless loss.
The guillotines are being rolled down the street.
I hear the wheels creaking ever louder.
Wake up.
Please wake up.
They are seeking equality,
And justice.
We want to save you from yourselves.
But you spit on the old debate.
As peasants like myself start to realizeā¦!
We can be both Hobbes and Locke simultaneously.
And neither side resembles any stuffed toy tiger.
Wake up!
Please wake up!
Too late.
