Shout-out to the people who complain about our government,
but offer no solutions.
Shout-out to the pretentious who monger misery for recognition,
denouncing society to be accepted.
Shout-out to the advocates of pretty words accompanying sensitive piano music
crescendoing at the pinnacle of good-looking stanzas,
greedily consuming tears,
while advocates of action are left in the dark.
Shout-out to activists who want to fix the “country of Africa,”
and ignore the broken country of America.
Shout-out to those who believe America anarchic
when in other countries
families are slaughtered for engaging
in our everyday privileges.
Shout-out to hating hospitals becoming mainstream
while a mother, broken and scared,
begs her child to hold on just long enough to reach the dilapidated building
where the only medic in a hundred miles
resides.
Shout-out to loathing school
when a young woman is shot in the head for trying to attend.
Shout-out to needing to paint the worst possible scenario
to warrant any reaction.
Shout-out to indulging in brief moments of political awareness
before getting up and living just the same as before.
Shout-out to being attacked
for living life
in lieu of useless lamenting.
Shout-out to the criticized for criticizing critics.
And of course,
Shout-out to me
for observing society and its issues
yet still contributing
by sitting and writing this poem,
pointing out flaws without answers, problems without resolutions
because the only complete fix is a cultural revolution
made impossible by us,
who can only complain about our government
but offer no solutions.
Just joined, thrilled to find this website (even though I'm confused af on everything from etiquette to the cute little CD with a blemish looking thing next to my username), and first post. I'm open to advice, critique, or friendly conversation!