Daddy's World
Daddy, you said man is basically evil
Daddy, you said Idealism passes with age
Daddy, you said they want to kill me
Daddy, if that's your world- I don't want it
Daddy, you taught me to hate
Some people count and some people need to be erased
It's better to be smart than right, you said
Daddy, if that's your education- I don't want it
Daddy, you believe in rationality
You call me emotional and naive
You rationalize murder, racism and suffering
Daddy, if that's your rationalism- I don't want it
Daddy, you said you‘re protecting me
Who are you protecting me from?
You gave me your fears and a heritage of unaccountability
Daddy, if that's your protection- I don't want it
Daddy, you want me to be a patriot
You want me to love "my people" more than others
You want me to wield a gun in the name of that love
Daddy, if that's your dream for me- I don't want it
Daddy, why did you send me off to war?
Did you think I'd mature? Did you think that I'd toughen?
I know what it means to be tough in a world of men like you
Daddy, if that's your love- I don't want it
If I'm basically evil, then why do I bother?
If idealism passes with age, then I'll stay a newborn child forever
If they want to kill me, I must be a lamb off to the slaughter
Daddy, if that's your world- I don't want it
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By Loewen, Matt at Apr 10, 2009 01:08 AM
Its sad how having goals and aspirations for a better world are scoffed at by so many - even how having a vision of the future can be a bad thing, labelled 'utopic' and childish! This is why I really like your line "if idealism passes with age, then I'll stay a newborn child forever". Reminds me of what Rousseau said about children- they are not alienated from themselves. They have not lost the wonder of the world, the ability to ask questions, and the ability to feel themselves in relationships with others, and with their home, their environment.
As always, I enjoy reading your poetry, Tali. Thanks for sharing this!
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